Ministry of Works Historic Hut
Kahurangi National Park
Ministry of Works Historic Hut. Previously known as Mackay Downs Hut.
Constructed in 1970 by the Ministry of Works for the survey of the Heaphy Road that was never built. The hut was built using the NZFS 6-bunk hut plan and is still pretty much in original condition. It was restored some years back by Arnold Heine & helpers. Paul Kilgour of Takaka has been the most frequent visitor over the years and a strong advocate for the hut which at one stage was under threat of removal.
It is situated toward the northern edge of the MacKay Downs in the headwaters of Juno Creek. It is just over the West Coast / Nelson conservancy boundary on the Nelson side by about 200 metres according to some info in the hut.
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Owner
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Owner: DOC |
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Category
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Basic Hut/Bivvy |
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Sleeps
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Sleeps 6
6
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Facilities
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Open fireplace |
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Water supply
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No water |
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Getting there
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There are no official tracks to this hut but there are several routes that have the odd cairn, marker stake & short sections of old cutting on them.
The three main routes appear to be;
1/From the Blue Shirt Ck bridge on the Heaphy Track (took us 2hrs going the opposite way in misty conditions) 2/From the Coast, Big River/Kahurangi Lighthouse keepers hut (11hrs - 2 days) 3/ From James MacKay hut. Up the trig track behind the staff hut & over onto tussock leads. First N then NW (4 hrs) |
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Unlocked
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This hut is unlocked and open to access. |
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Bookings
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No bookings — open access
No — open access
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Mobile phone coverage
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No coverage |
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Maps
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NZTopo50-BN22
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Link
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www.doc.govt.nz/p...http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/backcountry-huts-by-region/nelson-tasman/golden-bay/ministry-of-works-historic-hut/ |