Cromel Base Hut | Eyre Mountain/ Taka Rā Haka Conservation Park
Cromel Base Hut is a standard New Zealand Forest Service SF 70 bunk hut that, due to intermittent, if not rare, use, is well preserved. It is located in a forest, and has a steep hillside to the north, so sunlight is curtailed, particularly in winter, ie, the hut is dark and damp. At least the chimney provides some ventilation.
It is a little-visited and even less-stayed-in hut. There are just occasional hunters, hut baggers, and locals. It’s close to the road, but you need permission to cross the farmland before you get to the conservation park.
There is a four-wheel-drive track from the road end, as well as a well-marked track from near Mt Bee Bunkrooms Hut. Being only two hours’ walk from either point means people tend to continue on to Cromel Branch Hut or elsewhere.
category . . . basic hut
hut fee . . . free
booking . . . not required
elevation . . . 405 m
bunks . . . 6 mattresses, on three sets of bunks
built . . . 1970s
heating . . . open fire
water . . . from stream, 20 m
toilet . . . 1 x longdrop
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