Walked about 45minutes in on this track because of limited time. Easy access, clean facilities, and the usual great view.

I did a walk up to Luxmore and back in June 2018. I camped at Brod Bay before and after the hike up to Luxmore.

The DOC office in Te Anau gives latest weather and conditions and you buy hut tickets - $5 for the basic ones, $15 for the serviced ones like Luxmore. Good DOC website. Parts of Kepler are shut due to avalanche risk mid winter but it is well worth visiting all year, - unlike others that require boats and which have bridges removed in the winter. It's an anti-clockwise loop with a high section and one night at Luxmore hut - which much more than a hut! Beyond Luxmore there is a well-known section along the grassy ridges before descending to Iris Burn hut. That is the bit that can't be done at times but a shortened, in and out walk is still great. Mid June I commenced after lunch from the car park and walked in to Brod Bay. Lovely walk through the trees and then views across the lake - camped with a view. Sheltered from wind, good roofed eating shelters and fire sites - bring wood. Next morning I then walked up to Luxmore. A solid uphill - perhaps 800m vertical? Path very well made - you wouldn't, but a pram could be taken and only carried a few times on stairs near the top. This is one of the nicest days of walking I've done - and it is nicer in the rain with water dripping off all the trees, covered in moss and ferns. A bit of slippery ice at the top just before the tree line - the shade of the trees allowed some snow to persist and refreeze - not worth carrying spikes for though. Clomped through snow along top with fantastic views, Luxmore is hidden around a curve until you are right there. 5 people staying the night I was there, good fire and wood supply. Hut warden lady was there, even out of season and was friendly and full of useful ideas. Big sleeping rooms, I had one to myself. Woke to clear skies and layer of cloud below - did I mention the views? Big, open lounge area for cooking and relaxing - didn't want to leave. I stayed until lunch time and then walked back and down through the layer of cloud - another lovely walk. Camped second night at Brod bay, waking to sun coming in under cloud. Off by 11am, 2 hours walk back. I then had time to eat and restock and get up to the last campsite before Milford that evening - fantastic!

This walk to Luxmore and back can be done in a day by fit people but you need to bring layers and basic supplies as the weather can change quickly and in case of emergency. I couldn't start of finish early so I turned it into 3 nights and was very pleased. Te Anau has supermarkets and lots of good food and coffee. I took a frying pan and fresh meat and vegies! This year (2019) I will go again and try to stay two nights at Luxmore, seeing if I can get along the top, along those ridges on a day walk. Be aware though that people have died in recent years due to trying to get through the avalanche zone when the conditions were wrong though. Children with sufficient sense and fitness can do this walk, like the one to Mount Aspiring Hut from Wanaka - a good intro to hiking.

Good online weather service in NZ with specific reports and forecasts for hikers and skiers. 4G reception at Luxmore hut in common areas. Reception good to patchy on my walk. No recharging at huts and keep phones and batteries close to your skin to keep warm in winter - batteries don't like the cold. A solar charger handy if shared for a group of people. Water plentiful including clean snow for drinks :-). Toilets drop-type out of season.

Note that prices for the great walks are high during the season, especially for overseas visitors - $120 a night! (NZD). $15 a night out of season, although access and facilities are reduced. Lots of good info online via the DOC site and forums.

Did the short walk to Brod Bay with some family who were hiking the full duration of the track. Very relaxing and easy walk to brod Bay, even with repellent on the midgies were full on at arrival at the Brod Bay shelter, midgie tai chi required to keep them off. Wasn't so bad whilst walking back which was a lovely fern forest area alongside the lake area. Walking back counted 100 people walking in so it was busy busy during mid January.