Penk Hut | Ferny Gair Conservation Area
Not many visitors here, and half of them seem to be hunters dropping in by chopper for a few days’ stay. The hut, therefore, is in good condition.
Not much different from any number of similar NZFS SF 70 huts scattered around New Zealand. Except, deer. Seems to be lots in the vicinity.
Access for those on foot is either from Lake Alexander via Point 1517 and dropping down the appropriate ridge (take care to get on the appropriate ridge, or you may find yourself bluffed out), or by bashing up or down the Penk River.
No track is provided, and two awkward rocks in the river gorge cause significant obstacles. One has a rope to assist in abseiling up/down a slippery surface, the other is situated in the middle of a tight gorge with no hope of easily climbing around. Chucking the pack, with everything in dry bags, and jumping chest deep into the flow, sandy bottom, fortunately, might prove the solution.
So, not so good in wet weather. Climbing out via Point 1380 would be possible if feeling trapped.
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 . . . 630 m
bunks . . . 6 mattresses
built . . . 1961, renovated 2022: re-piled, re-painted, double-glazed, insulation
heating . . . pot belly
water . . . 80 m walk from stream, bucket provided
toilet . . . longdrop
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