Camping at Luxmore Hut - where to the Freedom Camp and how

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Camping at the Luxmore Hut is possible if you know where you have to go and when you are prepared. Remember that this guide is only suitable for those who are prepared with alpine equipment and experience and are only suitable in the appropriate weather.

New Zealand's Great Walks are among the best in the world. Among them, the Kepler Track is one of the best in New Zealand. However, if you are a price-conscious traveler, the hut fee of $ 130 will prevent many from going on.

Can you hike the Kepler without overnight accommodation? The answer is. This guide describes one of the most popular ways to avoid exorbitant hut costs; Camping at the LuxMore hut.

via the Keplerspur

The Kepler Track is one of my favorite hikes in New Zealand. What makes it so fascinating is that you can experience the best natural wonder of New Zealand in a single hike.

The route leads along beech forests on the lake shore and rises to huge pussy levels, follows alpine ridges and even offers opportunities to climb the nearby Luxmore Summit.

If you are undecided to climb the Kepler, I hope that this article will convince you to go out and get on your way!

For a full guide to the Kepler Track, including tips for camping and a route route, read the full Kepler leader here. If you alternatively visit the LuxMore hut and even climb the Mount Luxmore, it is possible to do this hike in one day.
Alt = "Kepler Track See Te Anau"> View of the Te Anau-See near the LuxMore hut

Connection: Guide for hiking on the Routeburn Track in one day

Can I camp for free on the Kepler Track?

Here is the $ 130 question. Can I camp on the Kepler Track for free? Technically speaking, the answer is no. However, you can camp "near" the route. Let me break it up.

While there are several overlapping and confusing laws on the subject of Freedom Camping, the general consensus of the Doc is that you can camp in each of the New Zealand National Parks Freedom as long as you are 200 meters from all paths and 500 meters from all Great Walk Tracks.

With regard to the Kepler Track, you can camp near the Luxmore Hut as long as you are 500 meters from the track. This applies to the main track and the Luxmore Caves Track.

If you have your own alpine tent, you can hike the entire Kepler track for $ 20 (kiwis) or $ 40 (foreigners). This is because you have to pay for a place at the Iris Burn campsite, there is no way around.

In addition, your money goes to the Doc, which does a great job to protect New Zealand's natural biodiversity and to maintain the hiking trails for everyone. If you can afford $ 40 for the entire 3-4-day Kepler hike, pay the fee.

Sources: Freedom Camping Bill, Freedom Camping Act, Fjordland National Parks Bylaws 1981.

alt = “Tussock Plains hike near the Luxmore hut on the Kepler”>

Camping at the LuxMore hut

Well, that's probably the reason why they came here.

The area around Luxmore Hut is classified as an alpine area. The DOC recommends that you do not make freedom camp here because the pushing levels are fully exposed and there is little to no dry, flat floor.

If you are experienced, however, have your own 100 km-safe alpine tent and are ready to take a calculated personal risk, I can show you where I have been in the search for a place.

Remember when you camp in freedom near the LuxMore hut, you should not use any of your facilities. This includes waterfill fillings and toilets. If you go to the freedom camp, you generally do so responsibly. This means not leaving traces and even packing their own human waste. If you are not ready to do so, don't try to go to the freedom camp.
Alt = “Tussock Plains hike near the Luxmore hut on the Kepler”>

Best campsite with GPS coordinates

There are a few blogs and travel guides online with limited information about where you can actually camp in the Luxmore Hut. However, there are no really precise directions or locations.

Therefore, after they have arrived at the hut, most people try to find a free campsite just behind the way to the Luxmore caves. Remember that this route is also considered a Great Walks route, so you also have to camp 500 meters away.

Follow the traces that have already been carved by other freedom campers, go 80 meters to the west and then follow the edge of the hill to the southwest until they drive around the curve, where they see a mostly flat (albeit bumpy) level.

This area is best suited because they cannot be seen from the Luxmore Caves route. That is what the guard will ask you if you camp in freedom.

This area is anything but perfect because the small flat floor, which is available, is usually either too wet or rocky. However, there are a few “gold lily” spots. The following GPS coordinates are most likely the best choice in the area.

LuxMore Hut Camping Spot GPS coordinates: S 45 ° 23.5899 E 167 ° 36.7059

Alt = “Camping at the LuxMore hut”> Camping near the LuxMore hut

Freshwater source near the campsite

Since you cannot use the hut systems to fill up your water bottles, you naturally have to pack additional water or rely on the availability of fresh water from the nearby stream.

When I was handling here in March, there was a healthy, clear stream only 100 meters behind the campsite above. You hear it from the GPS coordinates.

I can imagine that this electricity will flow during most part of the Great Walk season. However, pack additional water in all cases.

What do I need?

So what do you need for a freedom camp near the LuxMore hut? Here is a short list of the most important things.

  • waterproof alpine with a mileage of over 100 km
  • water
  • warm sleeping bag (-10 ° C)
  • sleeping pad
  • possibilities for packing your own waste (including human waste)

When I was capable, we were quite lucky to have pretty quiet conditions. However, this alpine area is exposed and known for the fact that it can cope with very strong wind and frequent rainfall.

A camper had brought a not water-resistant $ 15 position. These boys were very lucky that the weather did not turn against us. Don't be like her.
Alt = “Luxmore Hütte on the Kepler Track”>
Alt = "Kea Vogel at the LuxMore hut"> Kea-Vogel on the Kepler lanes

More South Island hikes and travel guide

I hope this guide was helpful for planning your camping in the LuxMore hut. If you have any further questions or news about a recent trip, help other travelers by writing a comment below.

If you are interested in other free travel guides and articles for New Zealand's South Island, you can find them under the following links. More hikes? Don't miss this list of the best hikes on the South Island!

enjoy!

My camera and photo equipment

  • Mirrorless camera: Canon R5
  • drone: DJI Mavic Pro 2
  • 360-degree action camera: Insta360 One X2
  • landscape lens: Canon RF 15-35 mm f/2.8l
  • all-round lens: Canon RF 24–105 mm f/4L
  • telephoto lens: Canon RF 100–500 mm f/f/4.5–7.1 l
  • Long action rod: Insta360 Invisible Pole (Bullettime)
  • landscape lens filter: Hoya Circular Polarizer
  • camera backpack: F-stop Tilopa
  • Favorite photo accessories: Peak Design Capture Clip

A list of my recommended photo equipment (including what I use and why) can be found in my guide for camera equipment for the trip.

If you want to use one of the photos on this website, please visit my licensing page to find out how. I also sell professional art prints, visit my print store or contact me directly for customs deductions from pictures on WE Seek Travel.
Alt = “Camping Luxmore Hütte”>

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