Places to stay
Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park
Growler Hut
Hut
• Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 8.
Growler Hut is located on the south side of the Havelock River valley, just upriver of the Growler Stream. It's a comfortable, well maintained hut with a good stove, but limited firewood in the loc...
Macaulay Hut
Hut
• Serviced Hut (Mackenzie Alpine Trust). Capacity: 14.
Macaulay Hut (14 bunks, matresses, stove, firewood provided, water, bath, mountain radio, gas cookers, lighting) is a luxury option for those wanting to stay in the Macaulay Valley. It's owned by ...
Top Hut (Te Kahui Kaupeka)
Hut
• Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC). Capacity: 10.
Top hut in the upper South Branch of the Ashburton River.
10 bunk hut built 1958 by Mt Arrowsmith Station. Taken over by DoC and refurbished. Still canvas bunks but now with DoC mattresses, conc...
Crooked Spur Hut
Hut
• Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC). Capacity: 8.
A beech-pole hut constructed 1947, and located about 1 hour's climb above the streambed of Bush Stream near Mesopotamia. Used for mustering up until 2009. Original sacking bunks have been replaced ...
Rex Simpson Hut
Hut
• Private hut (PVT). Capacity: 6.Bookings required.
This hut located at the top edge of a terrace above Lake Tekapo. It is owned by Alpine Recreation and available for public use. It is generally used for ski touring. The hut offers a full kitchen w...
South Opuha Hut
Hut
• Private hut (Mackenzie Alpine Trust). Capacity: 6.
This hut was completed November 2013, replacing an old DOC hut. It is located on a terrace at the confluence of 2 branches of the South Opuha River beneath the Sherwood and Two Thumb Ranges.
The...
Mistake Flat Hut
Hut
• Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 6.
Hut on the Mistake Flats, where the Forbes meets the Havelock River.
Dog Kennel Bivvy
Hut
• Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC).
Basic hut, no bunks, dirt floor, but still good shelter. Fireplace outside.
Camp Stream Hut
Hut
• Basic Hut/Bivvy (PVT). Capacity: 6.
A small, dark hut in good condition, owned by the Mackenzie Alpine Trust, and free to use. Donations are appreciated. There is a tube to post them into by the front door. Firewood is supplied to bu...
Richmond hut (Te Kahui Kaupeka)
Hut
• Shelter (DOC).
A tiny mustering hut high on Bush Stream. The hut is old, with signatures dating back to 1896. It is described by DOC as "not suitable for accommodation."
Royal Hut
Hut
• Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC). Capacity: 8.
An old mustering hut located in the broad tussock basin of Bush Stream. Originally called "New Hut", its name changed after an overnight visit by Prince Charles and Princess Anne in 1971.
Stone Hut (Canterbury)
Hut
• Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC). Capacity: 8.
This historic hut is constructed of stone and corrugated iron, and located in Forest Creek. The first stone hut on the site was built in the 1880s, with a replacement in the 1900s. The current hut ...
Forbes Bivvy
Hut
• Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC). Capacity: 2.
Bivouac located on the Forbes River flats beneath the Two Thumb Range.
Carney's Bivvy No. 2
Hut
• Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC). Capacity: 2.
One of two side-by-side huts in the Two Thumb Range.
Carney's Bivvy No. 1
Hut
• Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC). Capacity: 2.
One of two side-by-side huts in the Two Thumb Range.
Spurs Hut
Hut
• Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC). Capacity: 4.
Iron hut with a stone chimney below the Ben McLeod Range.
St Winifreds Hut
Hut
• Standard Hut (Canterbury Mountaineering Club). Capacity: 9.
Iron hut owned by the Canterbury Mountaineering Club. The hut was built in 1959 to replace the old Havelock Hut. The hut is well fitted out with radio, lighting, water, and a chip heater.
Murphy's Bivvy
Hut
• Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 2.
Small hut below the Murphy Glacier on the Two Thumb Range.
Ayres Hut (Removed)
Hut
• Removed!
Restored 4 bunk hut one hour up Black Birch Stream, Mesopotamia, in Two Thumb Range. As of 2012, DOC reports this hut has been removed.
Hut categories
- Great Walks Hut
- Well appointed DOC hut on one of the nine Great Walks. Great Walks pass required, bookings may be required. Facilities typically include toilets, heating, water, and bunks with mattresses. Some huts will have lighting, gas cooking, and a DOC ranger.
- Serviced Hut
- Larger, high standard hut. Many serviced huts have a booking system and must be booked in advance. Other huts require a back country hut pass or 3 hut tickets. Mostly owned by DOC. Facilities typically include a toilet, open fire or wood burner, water supply, and bunks with mattresses.
- Serviced Alpine Hut
- Alpine hut owned by DOC or clubs such as NZAC. Generally no heating. Payment varies. Facilities typically include a toilet, water supply, and bunks with mattresses.
- Standard Hut
- Typical DOC hut. Back country hut pass / 1 hut ticket required, no bookings. Facilities typically include a toilet, open fire or wood burner, and bunks with mattresses.
- Basic Hut/Bivvy
- Small DOC huts of 2-6 bunks. No fees or bookings. Facilities typically include a toilet and bunks with mattresses.
In general, food and cooking equipment is not available at huts. See DOC and NZAC websites for details of pricing and booking.
Campsite categories
- Great Walks Campsite
- Campsites are available on most Great Walks, usually next to huts. Great Walks pass required, bookings may be required. Toilets, water supply. No use of hut facilities not available.
- Serviced, Scenic, or Standard Campsite
- Accessible by car or boat, and offering a range of facilities.
- Basic Campsite
- Accessible by car or boat, but with minimal facilities. No fees or bookings. Toilet, water may be from stream.
- Backcountry Campsite
- Walk-in access. Fees vary. No bookings. Toilet, water may be from stream.