John Hayward Memorial Hut
Also known as Kowai hut but not to be confused with Kowhai hut in the Kaikoura area near Mt Fyffe. This hut is on Brooksdale Station near Porters Pass in the headwaters of the Kowai River. Brooksdale Station if asked for permission generally agree to allow walking access across their land and use of the hut.
The hut was built in 1973 for research purposes. It has seen better days but a group of volunteers have started to take an interest in the place. Brian Reid has begun maintenance and Alistair Macdonald from the Permolat Group have gone on to achieve impressive results.

Owner
|
Owner: NA |
---|---|
Category
|
Private hut |
Sleeps
|
Sleeps 6
6
|
Facilities
|
Toilet, Enclosed wood/coal burner |
Water supply
|
No water |
Getting there
|
1/From a rest area on SH73 near the foot of Porters Pass. Use the 4x4 track & Kowai River to reach the hut. (1-2 hrs) 2/From off the Torlesse Range |
---|---|
Unlocked
|
This hut is unlocked and open to access. |
Bookings
|
No bookings — open access
No — open access
|
Altitude
|
780m |
---|---|
Mobile phone coverage
|
No coverage |
Maps
|
NZTopo50-BW21
|