Facilities
A Great Walk hut, Heaphy track
Backcountry huts do NOT have:
- Any cooking utensils, pots, pans or food
- Showers or sheets or blankets. Take a sleeping bag
- Rubbish collection, so always take all your rubbish with you
- Toilet paper is generally not supplied, so take your own.
Other facilities and services
- Bunks are often sleeping platforms that allow a width of 75 centimetres per person.
- Gas cookers and fuel are not generally provided. When using a fuel stove make sure that you open a window or door to allow dangerous carbon monoxide fumes to escape.
- Water is usually supplied from a rain water or stream filled tank. The water borne parasite Giardia may be present. Boil water for 3 minutes before use if you are unsure of the quality.
- An intentions (hut user) book is provided in huts. Always fill it in, as it may assist in search and rescue operations and also assists the Department to know how often a hut is used.
- Huts popular with hunters may have meat safes and/or dog kennels which are located away from the hut.
- Candle holders are provided at most huts where lighting is not provided.
- To help hut users keep huts clean and tidy, a broom, brush and pan are provided – please use them.
- Huts on Great Walks tracks often have wardens in the peak summer season. Wardens will check that visitors have the appropriate hut passes or tickets, provide information about track conditions, side trips and safety, supply weather forecasts (where they have a radio) and help ensure that huts stay clean and tidy. They may also provide interpretation of natural, cultural or historic values of places. Wardens also visit Serviced and Standard category huts on a regular basis.
- Huts may be actively managed for their historic values. This means the original fabric, design and character of the hut may not have changed much since it was built, and some standard services may be different. Interpretation about historic values may be provided.
- Note: Facilities and services change. Always be self sufficient, have warm and waterproof clothing so that you're prepared for sudden changes in conditions, and carry a tent.
Club huts
There are a variety of other huts in the New Zealand backcountry. These include:
- Recreation club huts
- DOC biodiversity management huts
- Private bush cabins
Clubs huts open to the public include a number of New Zealand Alpine Club (NZAC) huts in Aoraki/Mt Cook, Westland and Mt Aspiring National Parks. DOC hut tickets and passes are generally not valid at club huts and bookings may be required.
Club contacts:
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