• There's no longer much of a clearing around Hopeless Creek hut. | Hopeless Creek hut, Nelson Lakes National Park
  • Hopeless Creek hut is full of character inside a bland exterior. | Hopeless Creek hut, Nelson Lakes National Park
  • Did I say the hut is full of character? | Hopeless Creek hut, Nelson Lakes National Park
  • The hut interior is ply lined. | Hopeless Creek hut, Nelson Lakes National Park
  • Honeymooners might choose this hut due to the rare double bunks. | Hopeless Creek hut, Nelson Lakes National Park

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45 almost epic adventures on the South Island & Rakiura

Hopeless Creek Hut | Nelson Lakes National Park

One of the cutest huts around, plywood-lined, double bunks, the rushing of the creek close by and an engraved timber sign on the wall stating the hut was built by members of the NZ Alpine Club, and opened by Ed Hillary on 23 December 1967.

There are a few residents who tackle Mt Hopeless, 2278 m, just up the back. Those rock walls sure are imposing, but the reality is most inhabitants spend the day clambering over from Angelus Hut via Sunset Saddle.

+++++horizontal rule+++++

category . . . standard hut

hut fee . . . 1 standard hut ticket or backcountry hut pass, free to camp

booking . . . not required

elevation . . . 1030 m

bunks . . . 6 spaces, some on double mattresses

built . . . 1967

heating . . . woodburner

water . . . Hopeless Creek, 40 m walk

toilet . . . longdrop