tramping new zealand

The shelter is basic with a roof and four walls, but it does have doors to allow full enclosure, and some not quite comfortable and narrow benches.

Anti Crow Hut is an old New Zealand Forest Service SF 70 hut from back in the day, which has been well enough preserved.

Bealey Hut is an An old NZFS SF 70 hut that has had its fireplace removed but is otherwise in fair nick.

Many hours could be spent attempting to find the oldest graffiti. Worth a visit.

Bull Creek Hut is a compact four-bunk hut with the short bunks interleaved and stacked sardine-style.

Arthurs Pass National Park must have envisaged a high level of use up at Carrington Hut. 36 bunks in four bunkrooms, with two separate kitchen/living areas.

While Carroll Hut may be in the clouds for much of the time, if the day is clear, the view from up there is sure magnificent.

One of the typical recent DOC one-room huts, opened October 2020, with big double-glazed windows to take in the view and sun, plenty of insulation, and a small woodburner to save on the wood.

Not too many of the old-style huts like Cass Saddle Hut still remain on popular tramping tracks. This windowless hut is a real blast from the past.

On a river terrace with great views over to the ramparts of Avalanche Peak, ie, an entirely mountainous backdrop.

Not exactly a dramatic setting in amongst the regenerating bush in what was recently farmland but it’s comfortable accommodation, can’t complain about that.

Once a modest farm house, Dillons Homestead Hut has now been converted into more traditional tramper’s accommodation with the addition of the bunks.

Blue ducks/whio can be seen in the vicinity if you are observant.

Goat Pass Hut has a great location, one of the more spectacular around. And a reasonable level of amenity, other than a lack of heating.

Hamilton Hut is surprisingly spacious accommodation, with two separate sleeping areas and an enormous central fireplace that is not used but houses a large woodburner.

Hawdon Hut is popular due to its proximity to Christchurch and being a relatively easy walk from the car park, although some un-bridged river crossings are required.

The Hawdon Shelter is basic, with a roof and three walls, no doors to allow full enclosure, and some not quite comfortable benches.

The new Julia Hut is not exactly new, just newer than the old Julia Hut a couple of minutes walk away.

The old, character filled Julia Hut has been totally and lovingly renovated in 2014 and is a fully fabbo place to stay.

Kiwi Hut is an NZFS 8 bunker set on the edge of an attractive red beech forest, with a fireplace, though it’s not standard, as it has a curiously large airlock room.

The Klondyke Corner campsite has a basic shelter, with a roof and plenty of half height walls, ie, an excess of ventilation, and some not quite comfortable benches.

Lagoon Saddle A-frame Hut is one of two structures in close proximity. Not exactly sure why two shelters are needed. This is the more recent of the two.

DOC defines Lagoon Saddle Hut as “basic” and you’d have to agree. It’s a windowless large garden shed with a couple of mattress-less bunks and a small bench.

Some bush construction skills are still evident, rafters, hand-hewn floorboards, etc. There’s plenty of character to soak up.

Mid Taipo Hut is a standard New Zealand Forest Service hut from the 1970s, though it has been extended with a large vestibule for wet gear.

Minchin Bivvy is basically a wooden tent. You crawl in on your hands and knees. The door is half-height.

Mingha Bivvy was just about completely rebuilt in 2019 with new piles, substructure, flooring, studs, roofing, and chimney. Only the original steel sheet cladding and roof structure was reinstated.

Poulter Hut is not a bad place to spend a night and zip up to the beautiful Lake Minchin for some fishing or just to admire the splendid forest and views.

The Sudden Valley Bivvy is small and lacks heating, and for some crazy reason, is orientated away from the light, the result being some internal dampness and mould growth. Take care you don’t asphyxiate yourself with carbon monoxide poisoning, due to lack of ventilation.

On a fine day it is worth the effort to climb the 800 m from the Taramakau valley floor. The good aspect: the track is generally well marked and short, ie, you climb quickly.

Trust/ Poulter Hut is one of the numerous NZFS SF 70 huts that abound in the South Island backcountry. Originally constructed for the deer cullers, this is a particularly well-preserved example.

Upper Deception Hut is really the Mid Deception and is the only hut on the Deception River. The Lower Deception Hut was burned in the 1980s so it could even be called simply the Deception Hut.

West Harper Hut has considerable character: bush-cut structural timbers, no flooring provided, it’s dirt, hammock-style canvas bunks. Basically, the opportunity for a trip back to the distant past.

Worsley Bivvy is an hour’s walk up the Poulter River from the Poulter Hut. I guess you go up here to avoid others, otherwise it’s a bit redundant.