Places to stay
Nelson Lakes National Park
Hopeless Creek Hut
Hut
• Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 6.
An older , little used hut off the Travers Valley leading to Sunset Saddle and Angelus Hut.
Blue Lake Hut
Hut
• Serviced Hut (DOC). Capacity: 16.
Located beside tiny Blue Lake at the head of the Sabine Valley. West, Moss Pass leads to the D'Urville Valley. South is larger Lake Constance and Waiau Pass beyond.
Blue Lake is renowned for its...
Angelus Hut
Hut
• Serviced Hut (DOC). Capacity: 28.Bookings required.
New hut opened in April 2010. A well sited and busy hut next to a lake in an alpine landscape. Associated camping area has 10 sites. Bookings are required from October to April.
John Tait Hut
Hut
• Serviced Hut (DOC). Capacity: 30.
A good hut situated 5 hours easy walk from the head of Lake Rotoiti. Good views of Mt. Travers up the valley.
Downie Hut
Hut
• Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC). Capacity: 4.
Downie Hut is an old board and batten hut with a large open fire place. The original shingle roof now has corrugated iron over the top of it.
The hut is a bit draughty and dark compared with mode...
Bushline Hut
Hut
• Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 14.
A cute hut with a grand outlook over Lake Rotoiti and down to St Arnaud. Loo with a view!
Lakehead Hut
Hut
• Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 28.
A large modern hut. Lots of sandflies. Note that access to Coldwater Hut across the valley is either a 2-3 hour tramp via a swingbridge higher up the river or 40 minutes if the Travers River is low.
Cupola basin Hut
Hut
• Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 8.
A hut on the bushline with great views, well worth the up-hill grunt to get there.Even more spectacular when visited during the winter but add some extra time because of the conditions.
West Sabine Hut
Hut
• Serviced Hut (DOC). Capacity: 34.
Located in the West Branch of the Sabine River, south of Lake Rotoroa.
Upper Travers Hut
Hut
• Serviced Hut (DOC). Capacity: 24.
The original hut has been replaced by a larger hut. The new hut is in the shelter of the trees outside of the avalanche chute from Mt. Travers. Very nice, fully insulated, double glazed with a grea...
George Lyon Hut
Hut
• Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 16.
Formerly Ella Hut, located on the D'Urville River.
Begley Hut
Hut
• Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 8.
An old NZ Forest Service hut up the Begley Valley. Fire doesn't draw well and door has to be left open a crack.
East Matakitaki Hut
Hut
• Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 6.
East Matakitaki Hut (6 bunk, matresses, fireplace, creek water) lies on river flats in the upper Matakitaki valley (east branch). The hut is a typical forestry hut 50m from the river.
The upp...
Speargrass Hut
Hut
• Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 12.
Previously a small cosy hut, but now a brand new roomy hut with two sleeping platforms, L shaped stainless steel kitchen bench and a table and seating at the top of a clearing. Water from Speargras...
Burn Creek Hut
Hut
• Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC). Capacity: 2.
The little hut with a steep-pitched roof is located just under the Emily Peaks next to some beech forest. Given limited access, it must see few visits.
Nardoo Hut
Hut
• Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC). Capacity: 2.
Hut above the bushline on the tops between the Glenroy and Matakitaki Rivers.
Coldwater hut
Hut
• Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 12.
A concrete hut with 12 bunks. When I was there during the Summer the fire had been removed to prevent the smoke from damaging the hut. It sits right next to the lake so very convenient for swimming...
Bob's Hut
Hut
• Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 8.
Bob was to be absent when I arrived - though a cross outside hints at possible reasons. Hut book entries suggest he maintains a presence in spirit, at least, but the only movement I heard was the ...
Sabine Hut
Hut
• Serviced Hut (DOC). Capacity: 32.
Located at the head of Lake Rotoroa. A radio is available for contacting the water taxi service.
Upper D'Urville bivi
Hut
• Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC). Capacity: 2.
2 bunk no toilet just a shovel. good base for hunting welcome shelter or last stop before david saddle before heading over into east matakitaki valley.
Morgan Hut
Hut
• Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 10.
Located on the D'Urville River south of Lake Rotoroa.
Kerr Bay campsite
Campsite
• Basic Campsite (DOC). 21 spaces.
Grassy lakeside camping surrounded by a wealth of walking options, from short walks to alpine tops trips and multi-day tramps.
Bookings are required at peak periods. As a "Scenic" campsite, rat...
Angelus Hut Campsite
Campsite
• Backcountry Campsite (DOC). 5 spaces.
Alpine campsite located near Angelus Hut and Lake Angelus. During peak season, this campsite must be booked in advance with DOC.
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.