New Zealand Huts

Introduction to New Zealand Huts

New Zealand trampers are blessed not only by the splendid scenery available but also by a network of tracks and huts allowing access into remote and beautiful parts of the back country. New Zealand huts were mostly built by tramping and deer-stalking clubs. Many are still under control of the clubs. However the final say in the running of a hut is in the hands of the Department of Conservation (DOC). Beds in huts are usually available on a first come/first to bed basis. DOC has set up "Great Walks" for the busiest tracks - on these the beds have to be booked in advance. On some Great Walks (e.g. the Milford Track) there may be restrictions as to numbers allowed in the huts or days allowed at each hut.

Note that when I say 'bed', I really mean a place to sleep. Smaller huts usually have bunks while larger huts have sleeping platforms.

The existence of of mattresses at a hut should not be taken for granted. For example, Kime Hut sleeps 35 but the last time I was there, a total of 1 mattress existed. Take a sleeping mat on your journeys.

Huts can vary a lot - from pokey little 4 bunk shacks with no faculties to small houses sleeping 40 with stoves and gas laid on. The idea of the page is to show you some of the huts that I have come across in my travels.

Each entry has the name of the hut and a picture, the date the hut was last visited, where the hut is, a description (controlling organisation and sleeping space), access routes and some comments about the hut.

If you have any updates or comments about this page then give me a yell. Also if you have a hut that you want to add here then send me an email with a picture of the hut and some information and I'll add it.

Controlling Organisations