Rod Donald Hut

Image: DOC

Rod Donald Hut

Located in Banks Peninsula area and Christchurch area in the Canterbury region

Introduction

This is a serviced nine-bunk hut in the Christchurch and Banks Peninsula area.

Hut overview

Category

  • Category
Serviced

Bookings

  • Bookings

Bookings required

Facilities

  • Heating
  • Mattresses
  • Lighting
9 bunk beds

Seasonal restrictions

Rod Donald Hut is on Te Ara Pātaka, this part of which is closed for lambing from 1 September – 25 October each year.

Year-round access to the hut is possible via Port Levy Saddle.

About this hut

This hut is owned and maintained by the Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust.

It sits on a 10 ha private property of mainly regenerating native bush protected by a QEII covenant. It offers wonderful views over the Little River area and surrounding hills.

Facilities

  • Verandah
  • Lounge with stove for heating the hut (not suitable for cooking, firewood supplied)
  • Bunk room
  • Solar lighting
  • Tank water (should be boiled or treated before using)
  • Composting toilet

What to bring

  • Cooking stove, pots, pans
  • Sleeping bag
  • Toilet paper

Heritage

The hut was originally built as a private cabin in the early 1990s. The Rod Donald Trust purchased it in 2014 and upgraded it to meet the DOC Serviced Hut standards, before formally opening it to the public in November 2015. At the opening ceremony local Kaumatua James Robinson from Wairewa lifted the tapu alongside Rod Donald's father, partner and daughters. Rod Donald had a deep love for Banks Peninsula and is buried at St Andrew's church near Little River, in the valley below the hut.

Getting there

It's 50 minutes from Port Levy Saddle, which can be accessed from the car park at the top of the Western Valley Road from Little River or via Te Ara Pātaka from Montgomery Scenic Reserve.

Tracks to the hut

Location

NZTopo50 map sheet: BX24
Grid/NZTM20000 coordinates; E1583679, N5159155

Fees

  • Adult (18+ years): $15 per night
  • Youth (11 - 17 years): $7:50 per night
  • Child (0 - 10 years): $7:50 per night

Pay when you make a booking. Backcountry Hut Passes or tickets can't be used.

Bookings

Bookings are essential year round.

Book Rod Donald Hut online, or contact:

Ōtautahi / Christchurch Visitor Centre
Phone:   +64 3 379 4082
Fax:   +64 4 471 1117
Email:   christchurchvc@doc.govt.nz
Address:   28 Worcester Boulevard
Christchurch 8013
Postal Address:   Private Bag 11089
Christchurch 8443

Know before you go

Rubbish facilities are not provided - remember to take all your rubbish, including nappies, out with you.

Contacts

Ōtautahi / Christchurch Visitor Centre
Phone:   +64 3 379 4082
Fax:   +64 4 471 1117
Email:   christchurchvc@doc.govt.nz
Address:   28 Worcester Boulevard
Christchurch 8013
Postal Address:   Private Bag 11089
Christchurch 8443
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