• The exterior has been recently painted. | Upper South Branch Hurunui Hut, Lake Sumner Forest Park
  • The river can be dry in summer. | Upper South Branch Hurunui Hut, Lake Sumner Forest Park
  • The fireplace has been renovated, and there is plenty of dry wood around. | Upper South Branch Hurunui Hut, Lake Sumner Forest Park
  • The bunks are interleaved. Bonk! | Upper South Branch Hurunui Hut, Lake Sumner Forest Park

tramping new zealand

45 almost epic adventures on the South Island & Rakiura

Upper South Branch Hurunui Hut | Lake Sumner Forest Park

This has to be the longest name of a hut in New Zealand. At least it describes the location, so there is that.

Built in 1955, it has recently been repainted inside and out, with the lead head nails replaced, some new concrete on the floor, and the fireplace rebuilt.

It is mostly used by DOC workers due to the endangered mohua and orange-fronted parakeets, and occasionally by hunters who can drive almost to the front door. It’s compact, with three canvas bunks, although the original hessian has been replaced with canvas, and standard DOC mattresses are installed.

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category . . . basic huts/bivvies

hut fee . . . free

booking . . . not required

elevation . . . 820 m

bunks . . . 3 mattresses on bunks

built . . . 1955, renovated 2024, with lead head nails replaced with roofing screws, and painted inside and out

heating . . . open fire

water . . . Water from river, 50 m each way usually, but permanent rivulet at rear of the hut 20 m

toilet . . . none, shovel provided