Adventure in Fiordland: Hikes on the Kepler Track and Encounters with Wapiti and Red Deer скачать в хорошем качестве

Adventure in Fiordland: Hikes on the Kepler Track and Encounters with Wapiti and Red Deer

Our journey in Fiordland National Park led us to two unforgettable experiences: a day hike on the famous Kepler Track and a visit to a deer farm, where we had the chance to observe Wapiti and Red Deer up close. Hiking the Kepler Track The Kepler Track is a 60-kilometer circular hiking trail in Fiordland National Park on New Zealand’s South Island. It is one of the country’s designated Great Walks and takes hikers through a stunning variety of landscapes, including dense southern beech forests, alpine mountain ranges, and the shores of Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri. The highest point of the track is the Luxmore Saddle at 1,400 meters. Although completing the entire track usually takes three to four days, we opted for a day hike to get a taste of this remarkable route. It didn’t take long before we felt as if we had stepped into a fairytale forest: moss-covered trees, fern-lined trails, and the cheerful songs of native birds accompanied us along the way. The well-maintained paths and clear signage made it easy to fully enjoy the beauty of nature. Visiting a Deer Farm Another highlight of our stay in Te Anau was visiting a deer farm. By chance, we met a German couple who had emigrated to New Zealand over 20 years ago. In addition to running a restaurant and an Airbnb, they own two farms with hundreds of Wapiti and Red Deer. The Wapiti, also known as Elk, is one of the largest deer species in the world and was introduced to New Zealand in the early 20th century. The Red Deer, on the other hand, is native to Europe and was brought to New Zealand in the 19th century. Both species have established themselves in New Zealand’s wilderness and are now found both in the wild and on farms. With our drone, we were able to capture stunning footage of the herds. Surprisingly, the animals barely reacted to the drone and watched it curiously from a distance. A particularly special moment was getting close to a hind that was unexpectedly tame. The sheer size of the farms and the vastness of the landscape allowed us to drive for hours through the wilderness, observing the animals in their natural environment. These two experiences brought us closer to the incredible nature and wildlife of Fiordland National Park and will remain in our memories for a long time.