Lakehead Hut
Located in Nelson Lakes National Park in the Nelson/Tasman region
Introduction
Lakehead Hut makes a good overnight tramp for families with children or new trampers. It can also be reached by water taxi.Easy walk from road end
Facilities
- Heating
- Mattresses
- Toilets - non-flush
- Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
Seasonal restrictions
During school holidays and public holidays this hut can be busy and occassionally full.
Lakehead Hut sits at the head of Lake Rotoiti in the Travers River valley, at an altitude of 630 m.
From the hut, walk to the swingbridge over the Travers River (2 hr return), or fish in the Travers River or in the lake.
Facilities
- Bunks - platform (shared) bunks with mattresses
- Water supply - cold water from a rain collection tank
- Heating - wood burner with firewood provided (although there may be periods without firewood if weather conditions prevent resupply)
- Space for camping outside the hut
- Sleeping bag
- Cooking stove, pots/pans and utensils
- Toilet paper
- Rubbish bag
- Newspaper/firelighters and matches/lighter for the wood burner/fire
- Torch
Fees
Hut fees
- Adult (18+ years): $15 per night
- Youth (11 - 17 years): $7.50 per night
- Child/Infant (0 - 10 years): free
Before you go, buy 1 Serviced Hut Ticket (green for adults, orange for youth) or 3 Standard Hut Tickets (blue for adults, yellow for youth) for each night's stay. Put these in the honesty box at the hut. Or buy a Backcountry Hut Pass for unlimited use at most Serviced and Standard huts for a 6 or 12 month period.
Fees to camp at the hut
- Adult (18+ years): $5 per night
- Youth (11 - 17 years): $2.50 per night
- Child/Infant (0 - 10 years): free
Before you go, buy 1 Standard Hut Ticket (blue for adults, yellow for youth) for each night's stay. Put this in the honesty box at the hut. Or buy a Backcountry Hut Pass for unlimited use at most Serviced and Standard huts for a 6 or 12 month period.
Times from nearest access point and huts
- St Arnaud via Lakehead Track (Lake Rotoiti Circuit): 3 hr
- Coldwater Hut: 50 min across Travers River (no bridge) or 3 hr via swingbridge up the Travers valley (Lake Rotoiti Circuit)
- John Tait Hut: 4 hr 30 min
- Angelus Hut: 6 hr
- Hopeluss Hut: 5 hr
Lakehead Hut can also be reached by water taxi from the end of the lake at St Arnaud. From the jetty for drop-off or pick-up, it's a 15 minute walk to the hut.
Tracks to this hut
-
![Lake Rotoiti Circuit]()
Lake Rotoiti Circuit
Located in Nelson Lakes National ParkWalk around Lake Rotoiti surrounded by high mountain peaks – with the option to catch a water taxi one way or to stay overnight in a hut, it's a great option for families with children.Duration 7-10 hrDifficulty Advanced -
![Travers-Sabine Circuit]()
Travers-Sabine Circuit
Located in Nelson Lakes National ParkExperience tranquil beech forests, fields of waving tussocks, 2000‑m‑high mountains and clear rushing streams in the heart of the mountains of Nelson Lakes National Park.1 alertDuration 4 - 7 daysDifficulty Advanced
Location
NZTopo50 map sheet: BS24
Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates: E1585212, N5364023
Contacts
| Rotoiti / Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre | |
| Phone: | +64 3 521 1806 |
| Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
| Email: | nelsonlakesvc@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: |
View Road St Arnaud |
| Postal Address: |
PO Box 55 St Arnaud 7053 |
| Full office details | |
| Whakatū / Nelson Visitor Centre | |
| Phone: | +64 3 546 9339 |
| Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
| Email: | nelsonvc@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: |
Millers Acre/Taha o te Awa 79 Trafalgar Street Nelson 7010 |
| Postal Address: |
Private Bag 5 Nelson 7042 |
| Full office details | |
