Burn Creek Hut | Nelson Lakes National Park
At the bottom of Burn Creek a sign states that the track has not 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 has re-marked the route during the lockdown period with bright blue markers cut from plastic buckets, and it is no longer required 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 also is 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 dirt floor covered with 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. Dead trees around the hut were removed. 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 due to the 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.
Photos are pre-restoration as the guys failed to take photos of the completed work.
category . . . basic hut
hut fee . . . free
elevation . . . 1260 m
bunks . . . 3 mattresses
built . . . 1958, from the leftovers from building Bobs Hut, restored February 2024
heating . . . open fire
water . . . 265-litre rainwater water tank
toilet . . . Thunderbox down the track.
← Burn Creek goldfield campsite | Nelson Lakes National Park Bushline Hut | Nelson Lakes National Park →