• 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 | South Island & Rakiura

Hopeless 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.

A few visitors 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.

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Hopeless Hut
category standard hut
hut fee
  • 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 required
campsite fee free to camp
elevation 1030 m
bunks 6 mattresses, some double
built opened 1967. Repainted 2026
heating woodburner
water Hopeless Creek, 40 m walk
toilet longdrop