Places to stay
Discover Hakatere / Ashburton Lakes
Manuka Hut
Hut
• Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC). Capacity: 6.
A very basic hut near Lake Heron that is popular with Hunters. It is located 5 km away from Double Hut, a similar hut. Both huts have six bunks, a fireplace, a nearby river, firewood, and a toilet.
Double Hut
Hut
• Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC). Capacity: 6.
A very basic retired mustering hut on the Swin River South Branch, near Lake Heron, and popular with hunters. The hut is located on the Te Araroa Trail southwest of Clent Hills Saddle.
The hut ...
Potts Hut
Hut
• Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC). Capacity: 10.
Refurbished Musterers Hut in Hakatere Conservation Park.
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...
Comyns Hut
Hut
• Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC). Capacity: 8.
Corrugated iron hut on grassland next to Turtons Stream, south of Lake Coleridge. Constructed in 1957, restored in 2008, and reportedly in good condition. The original hut was built in 1897, and is...
Boundary Creek Hut (Hakatere)
Hut
• Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC). Capacity: 8.
boundary creek hut has 8 bunks and a concrete floor, mattresses and open fire and its very own resident mice as with most back country huts. Takes about 3 hours to walk in to. Not much fire wood ab...
A Frame Hut (Hakatere)
Hut
• Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC). Capacity: 3.
Corrugated iron A frame biv on tussock flats near the confluence of Turtons and Comyn's Streams.
Lake Heron Campground
Campsite
• Basic Campsite (Private).
Camping on Arrowsmith Station at Lake Heron. Tent site fees are $7.50 per night via an honesty box.
Nearby walks include Lake Hill, Cameron River, Double Hut, and the Te Araroa Trail.
Mount Potts Station campsite
Campsite
• Standard Campsite (Private).
Powered and tent sites located on Mount Potts Station. The lodge also offers other accommodation, and a café/restaurant and bar.
Nearby walks include Mount Sunday, Mount Potts, and Mystery Lake.
Lake Clearwater Reserve
Campsite
• Basic Campsite (Not applicable).
Campsite and day use area on the banks of Lake Clearwater. There are a number of interesting walks in the immediate area, including Mounts Guy and Barrosa, Mystery Lake, Potts and Boundary Creek Hu...
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.