Islands Hut | Eyre Mountain/ Taka Rā Haka Conservation Park
It’s set on the transition between the beech forest and a swampy grassland on a slope. It has recently undergone maintenance with a stainless steel bench, and the bunks have been reconfigured for some reason, maybe to fit the bench in.
A great little hut with some feeling of accomplishment when you reach it. From Acton Hut, the first half of the track, through the forest, is excellent if not delightful. However, once the tussock is reached, there is a time-consuming section of bush bashing through some scratchy scrub and nipple high tussock, which certainly slows down progress.
However, it’s relatively easy to get to Upper Cromel Hut via Point 1328 and the little saddle to the east of Point 1651, then sidling under Point 1651 on fairly flat scree to get to a ridge that heads down towards Upper Cromel Hut.
Others take the direct route towards Cromel Branch Hut via Point 1325.
There are parts of an older hut, roof sheeting, the chimney, etc, close at hand.
category . . . basic hut
hut fee . . . free
booking . . . not required
elevation . . . 885 m
bunks . . . 4 mattresses, on two sets of bunks
built . . . 1964
heating . . . open fire
water . . . from stream, 30 m down the bank
toilet . . . 1 x longdrop
← Acton Hut | Eyre Mountain/ Taka Rā Haka Conservation Park