Burn Creek Hut | Nelson Lakes National Park

At the bottom of Burn Creek, a sign says the track hasn’t been maintained since 1 January 1994. However, a note in the old hut book from 1991 complained about the track’s state even then. Someone re-marked the route during the lockdown period with bright blue markers cut from plastic buckets, so you no longer need to smash your way through the regenerating red beech tree undergrowth. Much of the route, including the route up Jacobs Ladder to get above the bluffs, is reasonably well marked. Once past the big Goldfields river flat, stay on the true right of the creek or in the creek itself until you reach the 4.5 kg gas bottle at the end of the clearing, where you cross the ravine with Burn Creek at the bottom. You will know it when you see it and probably say, “Really?!!”

Occasional visitors come from either Nardoo or Bobs Huts, over the tops. This is also definitely only for the experienced and energetic, and requires decent weather.

Volunteers with Backcountry Trust support carried out an extensive hut restoration in February 2024, with new bottom plates, the flammable building paper replaced with breathable building wrap, the roofing reinstated with roofing screws, the fireplace and chimney reconstructed, the two bunks removed, and the dirt floor covered with a moisture membrane and a three-mattress sleeping platform constructed to reduce dampness, the bench rebuilt and fireproofed, and the exterior repainted. A woodshed was built with the roof used to collect water for a 265-litre water tank. They removed dead trees around the hut. It’s a complete makeover and should suffice as accommodation for another 65 years.

Note that the hut is on the wrong side of the huge Matakitaki River, which may be impossible to cross after rainfall because of its large catchment. You may need to exit via Nadoo Hut and stream and use the bridge near the Mount Ella Station car park.

Congratulate yourself if you get to this hut, as it had no visitors noted in the hut book for the entire 2018 calendar year, and also none from a four-year period from 2002 – 2006.