• Another underused SF70 hut that's worth a visit. | Cromel Base Hut, Eyre Mountains/Taka Rā Haka Conservation Park
  • It's a bit dark being in the forest. | Cromel Base Hut, Eyre Mountains/Taka Rā Haka Conservation Park
  • There's a rugged and little used 4WD track to the hut. | Cromel Base Hut, Eyre Mountains/Taka Rā Haka Conservation Park
  • It's in fairly original condition. | Cromel Base Hut, Eyre Mountains/Taka Rā Haka Conservation Park
  • Has an open fire and, at the time, three brooms. | Cromel Base Hut, Eyre Mountains/Taka Rā Haka Conservation Park

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45 almost epic adventures on the South Island & Rakiura

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.

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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