Image: Brian Dobbie | ©
Brewster Hut.
Brewster Hut

Located in Makarora area and Mount Aspiring National Park in the Otago region

This is a serviced-alpine 12 bunk hut in the South Westland area. You need to book to stay at this hut over the summer season. Book online before you go.

Facilities and services

Huts have basic facilities. You'll need to take:

  • Sleeping bag
  • Stove and fuel
  • Pots/pans and utensils
  • Toilet paper
  • Rubbish bag (to pack out all rubbish, including food scraps)
  • Torch

Fees

Backcountry Hut Passes

Passes are valid for use in this hut from 1 May to 30 September. Passes won't be accepted from 1 October to 30 April.

  • Adult (18+ years): $50 per night
  • Child/youth (5–17 years): $25 per night

1 October – 31 May

Pay when you make a booking. 

1 June – 30 September

Bookings are not required but fees still apply.

To pay with backcountry hut tickets, purchase tickets before you leave and put them in the honesty box at the hut. The rates are:

  • Adults per night: two serviced hut ticket (green) 
  • Youth per night: two serviced hut ticket for youth (red)

Fee to camp outside Brewster Hut

Until 1 October 2026:

  • Adults per night: one serviced hut ticket (green) 

About hut tickets and passes | Retailers that sell hut tickets and passes

Bookings

Bookings for 1 October 2026 to 31 May 2027 open at 12 noon on Tuesday 12 May 2026.  

View updated hut and sole occupancy fees from 1 July 2026. 

  • If no availability shows online for your dates, the hut is fully booked.
  • No spaces are kept for visitors arriving without a booking.
  • Phone and in‑person bookings made at a visitor centre incur a $10 service fee.
  • Same‑day bookings are available online until 8 pm if spaces remain.

1 October – 31 May

Bookings are required. Book Brewster Hut online

Your hut booking is for any bunk bed, not for a specific bunk bed – select your bunk bed on arrival. 

1 June – 30 September

Bookings are not required - first come, first served. Fees still apply. 

Camping outside Brewster Hut

From 1 October 2026, you will need a booking to camp outside Brewster Hut. Bookings for camping will open in September 2026 – we will publish a date closer to the time.

Until 1 October 2026, no bookings are required but fees still apply.

Approximate time from nearest road end: SH 6 (Haast Highway) via Brewster Track: 3–4 hr

Near the car park, Brewster Track crosses the Haast River. This is not bridged and the river needs to be walked through. This crossing is dangerous when the river is in flood, usually during/after heavy rain or when there is snow melt.

Understand if you are ready for the Brewster Track

Watch the NZ Mountain Safety Council’s walk-through video. It takes you through how to prepare for this track including facilities, key decision points, hazards and typical conditions for the area.

Tracks to this hut

Location

NZTopo50 map sheet: BZ13
Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates: E1312805, N5112043

A hut warden will be on site periodically during the booking season, from 1 December to end of April.

Water

The water tank at Brewster Hut may be dry during the summer months especially December to February. We recommend you carry sufficient water for your visit during this period.

Weather forecast

Brewster Hut weather forecast – NIWA website