Sight · Fiordland National Park
Short walk to a tranquil Kepler Track waterfall with a swim
Overview
A short, rewarding side trip off the Kepler Track, Iris Burn Falls is the track’s standout waterfall—set in lush beech forest and reached by an easy 15–20 minute walk from Iris Burn Hut. It’s a graceful horsetail cascade in a tranquil glacial valley, and a favorite wind‑down spot for trampers overnighting at the hut.
The only significant waterfall on the Kepler Track, so it feels like a proper “destination” between big alpine sections.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhat Makes It SpecialMap
Local know-how
Walk over in the evening or at first light for the best atmosphere.
Bring strong insect repellent—sandflies are persistent here.
Pack swimwear; the pool is chilly but refreshing on a warm day.
Expect slick roots and rocks after rain; wear grippy footwear.
Remember there are no facilities at the falls—use the hut before you go.
Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Fiordland Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Fiordland National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Fiordland audio tour“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
Expect lively native birdlife in the forest (think fantails and robins; kaka are possible but less commonly reported). Do expect sandflies—bring strong repellent and cover up if you want to linger.
The pool is suitable for a quick swim in settled conditions, especially in summer. Rock and timber surfaces can be slick after rain, and Fiordland weather turns fast—pack rain layers and mind your footing. The descent into the Iris Burn valley on the track can be steep and slippery in poor weather; take care on approach days.
There are no facilities at the falls themselves. Toilets, water, and shelter are at Iris Burn Hut/Campsite a short walk away. The Kepler Track (opened in 1988 and managed by DOC) operates on a seasonal booking system—plan your itinerary around hut/campsite availability.
Wildlife
1,181 sightingsKeaMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
199 sightingsFiordland PenguinMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
228 sightingsBlue DuckMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
32 sightingsBottlenose DolphinMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
247 sightingsNew Zealand Fur SealMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
58 sightingsKākāMost seen around 6 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Fiordland. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Parkwolf’s Fiordland ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
