Places to stay
East West Route
Warden Hut
Hut
• Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 12.
Tidy modern hut on a tributary of Cold Stream, on the way into the Clarence River.
The walk in is about 6 hours, with another 3-4 hours to reach Seymour Hut on the Clarence River.
The 4WD tr...
Saxton Hut
Hut
• Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 6.
A six bunk hut with a woodburner stove newly erected at this site in April 2012. This is the 3rd site for this hut. It was originally sited at Quartz Creek in 1968 and then shifted to Boulder Strea...
Lake McRae Hut
Hut
• Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 6.
This hut dates from 1970 and was originally an NZFS four bunker. In Feb/March 2012 the hut received a major upgrade by DOC. It is now a six bunker with a dozen mattresses on site. It has an enclose...
Seymour / Forbes Hut
Hut
• Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 10.
Hut on the Clarence River near the Seymour River, and at the end of the 4WD route over Blind Saddle. The walk in is 9-10 hours, but there is also mountain bike access.
In December 2015 Seymour h...
Sedgemere Sleepout
Hut
• Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 6.
Small hut at Lake Sedgemere in Molesworth Recreation Reserve.
Severn hut
Hut
• Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 6.
A newish six bunker without a fire built in 2006. It's fenced to keep cattle out.
It's on the DOC East - West tramping route through Molesworth Recreation Reserve and is also a stop over hut for t...
Elliott Bivvy
Hut
• Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC). Capacity: 2.
This newish bivvy is at the site of an older demolished hut. It is on the East - West route in Molesworth Recreation Reserve between Seymour and Lake McRae huts.
Elliott Bivvy is somewhat unusua...
Black Spur Slab Hut
Hut
• Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC). Capacity: 4.
Historic hut thought to date from 1928 on the Seaward Kaikoura Range. This hut is built of poplar slabs over a poplar frame, with an iron roof and chimney that replace the original canvas roof and ...
Bluff Dump Hut
Hut
• Overnight use prohibited (DOC).
An historic hut no longer available for accommodation. Warden Hut is nearby.
This hut is an iron musterers' hut dating from the 1920s. The hut was built by Bluff Station and used as a depot on ...
Molesworth Cob Cottage campsite
Campsite
• Basic Campsite (DOC). 20 spaces.
Campsite in Molesworth Recreation Reserve next to the original Molesworth Station homestead (1885).
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.