Lake McRae Hut, Lake McRae

Lake McRae Hut was built in 1970 by the New Zealand Forest Service as a four-bunk animal control hut. It was extended and completely renovated in 2012: double-glazed windows, new door, full insulation and internal lining, and two bunks were added.

Now, a very comfortable hut, except there is no water tank and if the very small creek near the hut is dry, it is a long walk down to where there is a good flowing stream. No worries, there’s a good metal bucket.

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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

built . . . 1970, extended and renovated 2012

heating . . . wood burner

water . . . permanent water 200 m downstream, take a bucket

toilet . . . longdrop

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