• Westies is in a cave. That means it's damp. | Westies Hut, Fiordland National Park
  • Can see the sea from the window, and hear it. | Westies Hut, Fiordland National Park | Westies Hut, Fiordland National Park
  • Chickpeas and herbs are in jars so the rats can't get at them. | Westies Hut, Fiordland National Park | Westies Hut, Fiordland National Park
  • Squeaky metal bed, complete with pillows. Smells a little of rat. | Westies Hut, Fiordland National Park | Westies Hut, Fiordland National Park

tramping new zealand

45 almost epic adventures on the South Island & Rakiura

Westies Hut | Fiordland National Park

[This hut was wrongly located on the map, but this has been updated with the online version at LINZ. Old paper maps may show it in an incorrect position.]

One of the most curious huts around. Situated in a large sea cave that you could easily drive a bus through, well, if you could get a bus there. Originally built as a permanent tent, a timber accommodation annex with bunks was added. Then corrugated steel was installed over the canvas, and a decent woodburner was installed. The interior canvas has been wallpapered with Victorian-style wallpaper, although in many places you can still see the canvas behind. Has a well-stocked kitchen.

Some may find there are two major issues. The hut is in a rather damp cave, meaning the hut is relatively damp, and that rock is rather overbearing. Secondly, the interior has a considerable smell of rats about it.

For a few stories about Owen (Westie) West, read this Gerard Hindmarsh article.

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category . . . basic hut, with private “caretaker”, currently Cliff McDermott

hut fee . . . free

elevation . . . 5 m

bunks . . . 1 single bed, plus four bunks in annex

built . . . 1992, annex added 1996, clad and renovated 2007

heating . . . small woodburner

water . . . tap at indoor sink from water tank from roofing up the hill

toilet . . . shortdrop!!