Located in Nelson Lakes National Park in the Nelson/Tasman region
Coldwater Hut sits at 620 m on the edge of Lake Rotoiti.
From the hut, walk to the swingbridge over the Travers River (2 hr return) or to Whisky Falls via Lakeside Track (1 hr 30 min - 2 hr return)
Before you go, buy 1 Standard Hut Ticket (blue for adults, yellow for youth) for each night's stay. Put this in the honesty box at the hut. Or buy a Backcountry Hut Pass that gives unlimited use at most Standard and Serviced huts for a 12 month period.
About hut tickets and passes | Retailers that sell hut tickets and passes
Coldwater Hut can also be reached by water taxi from the end of the lake at St Arnaud. The jetty for drop-off or pick-up is directly in front on the hut.
NZTopo50 map sheet: BS24
Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates: E1584712, N5364523
Note: Coldwater Hut is a different location to Coldwater Campsite.
Isolated carparks are prone to theft. Don't leave any valuables in your vehicle. A bag storage facility is available at the Rotoiti/Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre.
The invasive alga lindavia is present in Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa. It causes lake snow – a sticky mucus that hangs below the surface of the water.
Make sure all your gear is completely dry for 48 hours before swimming or taking water from any alpine lake or tarn, including Rotomaninitua/Lake Angelus.
Use a biosecurity cleaning station at Coldwater Hut, Lakehead Hut and Sabine Hut to disinfect any boots, socks, clothing, towels or drink bottles that are wet or damp from lake or river water.
Do not touch the water in Rotomairewhenua/Blue Lake and Rotopōhueroa/Lake Constance.
Be extra careful if you’ve recently swum or filled a drink bottle from Lakes Rotoiti or Rotoroa.