Fees and bookings

Introduction

Find out about fees for the huts and campsites on the Routeburn Track and how to make reservations during the summer season.

Find out about fees for the huts and campsites on the Routeburn Track and how to make reservations during the summer season.

Huts

In the Great Walks season (2 November 2020 – 30 April 2021):

New Zealand citizens and those ordinarily resident in New Zealand*:

  • Adult (18+ years): $65 per person, per night
  • Child (17 years and under): free but booking still required

International visitors:

  • Adult (18+ years): $130 per person, per night
  • Child (17 years and under): $130 per person, per night

Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2020 – 1 November 2020):

Walking the track outside the Great Walk season should only be attempted by fit, experienced and well equipped trampers.

For all visitors: 

  • Adult (18+ years): $15 per person, per night
  • Child (17 years and under): free

* New Zealand rates:

  • "Ordinarily resident in New Zealand" means those:
    • who hold a residence class, student or work visa; and
    • who have lived in New Zealand for six of the previous 12 months; and
    • for whom New Zealand is their primary place of established residence.
  • Proof of eligibility will be required for the New Zealand rate - see acceptable eligibility proof.
Campsites

In the Great Walks season (2 November 2020 – 30 April 2021):

New Zealand citizens and those ordinarily resident in New Zealand*:

  • Adult (18+ years): $20 per person, per night
  • Child (17 years and under): free but booking still required

International visitors:

  • Adult (18+ years): $40 per person, per night
  • Child (17 years and under): $40 per person, per night

Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2020 – 1 November 2020):

Walking the track outside the Great Walk season should only be attempted by fit, experienced and well equipped trampers.

For all visitors: 

  • Adult (18+ years): $5 per person, per night
  • Child (17 years and under): free

* New Zealand rates:

  • "Ordinarily resident in New Zealand" means those:
    • who hold a residence class, student or work visa; and
    • who have lived in New Zealand for six of the previous 12 months; and
    • for whom New Zealand is their primary place of established residence.
  • Proof of eligibility will be required for the New Zealand rate - see acceptable eligibility proof.

Discounts

A 10% discount is available to members, staff and instructors of the following organisations, who also hold a valid 12 months Backcountry Hut Pass: NZ Mountain Safety Council; NZ Federated Mountain Clubs; NZ Deer Stalkers Association; NZ Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR); Scouts New Zealand; GirlGuiding NZ.

Discounts are not available online and apply to the summer season rates only. To receive the discount we need to sight your membership card and Backcountry Hut Pass, so visit a DOC visitor centre in person. If you get a discount you won't be charged a booking fee.

Bookings

Huts and campsites can book out many months in advance. Exact dates when booking will open are advised on our website closer to the time.

Note: Camping outside the designated campsites or staying overnight in the shelters, even when huts and campsites are fully booked, is not permitted. The track is patrolled by DOC rangers.

If the Routeburn Track is fully booked, other options to consider in the surrounding area are: Greenstone Caples Track, Hump Ridge Track, and Hollyford Track.

What to book

In the Great Walks season you need to book huts and/or campsites on the track.

Outside the Great Walks season you don't need to book but you need to take a Backcountry Hut Pass/Tickets. During the winter season there are reduced facilities and additional safety hazards to consider. See Outside the Great Walks season.

You can choose to book transport to and from entry/exit points for the track - the walk is one-way with the track ends approximately 350 km apart. See Getting there - Routeburn Track.

How to book

2020/2021 bookings

Bookings will open on Wednesday 10 June 2020 at 9:30 am, for trips from 2 November 2020  to 30 April 2021.

Follow this step-by-step process to guide you through booking the Routeburn Track:

  1. Decide what direction you want to walk the track in - from Routeburn Shelter near Queenstown or the Divide Shelter near Te Anau. Note, shuttles and vehicle relocations are available between both ends.
  2. For the direction you want to walk in, decide what huts or campsites you want to stay at. Consider:
  3. Decide the date you want to stay at each hut/campsite.
    • Summer season: maximum stay is 2 consecutive nights at huts and campsites
    • Winter season: maximum stay is 3 consecutive nights in huts, 5 consecutive nights at campsites
  4. Check availability of huts and campsites for space in each hut/campsite on the date you want to stay. If there is no space in one of the huts/campsites you want to stay at, consider:
  5. Check the availability of transport services on your desired date.
  6. Book huts/campsites. If you're booking campsites you'll need to know the number of people in your group as well as the number of tent sites required.Booking is required in the summer season for all ages.
  7. Optional: Book transport to/from the start/end of the track with a transport operator.

Terms and conditions

Read the booking terms and conditions (scroll to the bottom to find the Terms and Conditions link) for general information, age ranges, prices, discounts, penalty rates and the alterations and cancellations policy. Bookings not meeting the terms and conditions will be treated as invalid and cancelled.

Booking on behalf of others

Guided groups: To operate a commercial activity in an area managed by DOC, you need to apply for a concession (an official permit), in addition to any bookings you would need to make. Read more about concessions 

To make multiple bookings for facilities/services on behalf of customers, you must obtain permission or an agent agreement from DOC. To do this, email: agents@doc.govt.nz 

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