Big Hut
Facilities
16 Bunks
Fees
$10 per night, per adult/$5 per night for children under 12 - to be paid at the hut. Special fees apply for education or commercial ventures and if a warden is required.
Hut details
Big Hut in winter
This historic alpine hut is owned and maintained by the Rock and Pillar Hut Trust.
Unwardened (16 persons max)
When unwardened the hut is available for casual public use by up to 16 persons overnight.
Groups of 8 or more are required to book in advance. This allows the Trust to juggle use if necessary to avoid exceeding the 16-person limit to comply with fire regulations.
If bookings are accepted from more than one group, exceeding a total of 16 persons, a warden will be provided and the wardened rates and conditions below will apply.
Wardened (25 persons max)
When wardened by a Trust volunteer the hut is available for overnight group use by up to 20 persons (bunks for 5 casual users are reserved for the general public).
Groups of 16 or more are required to book in advance. Please do so as soon as you know your plans so that a Trust warden can be arranged - use is conditional on a warden being present.
The fees are $12 per person per night, or $7 if 12 years or under.
To book:
Email: bighut@middlemarch.co.nz
Phone: +64 3 447 3554
Cell phone (text only): 0274 358 311
Getting there
There is a marked route maintained by the Rock and Pillar Hut Trust from Glencreag. This is signposted from SH87 (Wandle Road) five kilometres north of Middlemarch, near the McKinnon Road junction. 2WD access to the parking area is through cattle stops on private property. Follow the marked route from the carpark.
Notes
Hut location
Grid reference: Topo50 map sheet CD15, E1371240, N4964410
Special features
This hut has a number of special features including a large common room, table tennis facilities and solar lighting.
The Rock and Pillar Hut Trust are currently trialing a thermosiphoning (solar) air panel to increase the ambient temperature in the hut. There is no other artificial heating source.
Park or reserve
Rock and Pillar Conservation Area
Plan and prepare
Cooking equipment required. Please note that candles are banned from the hut for fire safety reasons.