For much of the year the huts of the Northwest Circuit, and even less travelled Southern Circuit, are well under-utilised, weeks can go by in winter without use. In summer there’s more likelihood of fellow inhabitants, particularly Port William and North Arm, the huts for the more popular, and shorter, Rakiura Track.
Many of the huts may also be shared with hunting groups, after the elusive white-tailed deer, who can book a hunting block for up to 10 days and generally arrive by means of transportation that might not be primarily involve the use of feet, ie, helicopter or water taxi, and therefore arrive with the whole ensemble for total hut comfort which can get spread around and in any case the actual hunting may not be the primary objective.
There are specific hunting huts, Cavalier Hunters hut is representative, which means at least the Christmas Village and Mason Bay huts are guaranteed hunter free. There are also dedicated hunter’s campsites which at least have a long drop toilet and a stream nearby, but they are for the exclusive use of said hunters. January (holidays) to June (end of the deer roaring season) is the main hunting period.
Camping is technically possible in areas outside the huts but in view of the additional weight factor—-there’s a requirement to lug more than a week’s food supply over generally strenuous terrain—the soggy nature of the camping area substrate, the variable nature of the weather which when inclement can be dismal, and the general lack of other trampers in huts makes carrying a tent surplus to requirements for all but the most hardcore.
Oh, camping on the short Rakiura Track is not such a bad idea,. The campsites all have a kitchen shelter, water, longdrop toilet, etc.
