• Bottom Misery Hut is right on the junction of the Branch River and Misery Stream. | Bottom Misery Hut, Branch River, Marlborough
  • The hut was originally built in 1958. | Bottom Misery Hut, Branch River, Marlborough
  • Big woodburner and decent stainless steel bench. | Bottom Misery Hut, Branch River, Marlborough
  • Newly built bunks. | Bottom Misery Hut, Branch River, Marlborough
  • Neatly renovated interior with flyscreens that mostly keep the sandflies out. | Bottom Misery Hut, Branch River, Marlborough

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Bottom Misery Hut, Leatham Conservation Area

Sited on a knoll overlooking the junction of Branch River and sizeable Misery Stream, with a great view north down the valley.

Has recently been tidied up with new bunks, woodburner, verandah, larger aluminium framed windows and door, and repainted both inside and out.

If everyone who visited pulled out 50 conifer seedlings, we might not do much in the frightening scheme of things, with conifers appearing to be taking over, but the clearing and river flats might be devoid of trees for a while. There is an enormous task to get rid of conifers in this corner of Marlborough.

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category . . . standard hut

hut fee . . . from 1 July 2026

Adult (18+ years): $15.00 per night
Youth (5–17 years): $7.50 per night
Child/Infant (0–4 years): free

Before you go, buy 1 Standard Hut Ticket (blue for adults, red for youth) for each night of your stay. Put this in the honesty box at the hut. A Backcountry Hut Pass is also valid year-round.

booking . . . not required all year for either hut or camping

campsite fee . . . free to camp

elevation . . . 800 m

bunks . . . 6 mattresses in bunks

built . . . 1958

heating . . . wood burner

water . . . from river 60 m each way. Has choice of big buckets

toilet . . . longdrop