A red hut on a flat plain.

15 popular DOC huts now bookable

Introduction

DOC has added 15 huts to its booking system this week to help manage crowding, support revenue collection and align with the Te Araroa Trail Pass launched in August.

Date:  22 November 2024

The huts are in Nelson Lakes and Arthur’s Pass national parks, with an additional hut in Whanganui. All 15 are Serviced Huts under DOC’s hut categories.

“We’re asking customers to book these huts online before their trip,” says DOC Visitor Advice Manager Lynnell Greer.

“Huts previously covered by the Backcountry Hut Pass continue to be covered.”  

DOC manages a network of over 950 huts around New Zealand for trampers and others seeking to overnight in the great outdoors.

These come in a range of standards from basic bivvies to serviced says Lynnell Greer.

“Most huts are available on a first come first served basis but around 55 (including these newly added huts) must be booked in advance.”

“Bookable huts help us manage our very popular or over-subscribed facilities. They provide certainty to families and less experienced visitors, and support the payment of hut fees so these facilities can continue into the future.” 

There are several things DOC looks at when considering whether to add a hut to the booking system:

  • Is the hut high-use or experiencing overcrowding regularly?
  • Is it used by less experienced or first-time trampers?
  • Is it popular with families?
  • Is it close to larger urban centres?
  • Is it vehicle accessible or close to a road end?

DOC recognises it’s important to offer a good mix of bookable and non-bookable facilities to cater to a wide range of outdoor recreationists, says Lynnell Greer.

“Bookable huts still give people flexibility to adjust bookings if needed (for example. due to weather). It’s important for all hut users to assess conditions before deciding whether it's safe to go, even if people have made a booking.

“All DOC huts continue to be available as emergency shelter.”

Newly bookable huts:

Whanganui

  • Downes Hut*

Canterbury

  • Hamilton Hut*
  • Hope Kiwi Hut*
  • Ada Pass Hut
  • Anne Hut*
  • Boyle Flat Hut*
  • Cannibal Gorge Hut
  • Christopher Hut

Nelson Lakes

  • Blue Lake Hut*
  • John Tait Hut*
  • Lakehead Hut*
  • Sabine Hut
  • Speargrass Hut
  • Upper Travers Hut*
  • West Sabine Hut*

* On Te Araroa Trail

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz