1. Find a bookable hut
You'll find out if a hut needs to be booked or not on the hut web page:
Some huts can be booked and you pay when you book. You can use a Backcountry Hut Pass to pay for some bookings. You cannot use Backcountry Hut Tickets to pay for any bookings.
Some huts cannot be booked in advance – they operate on a first-come, first-served basis. You pay with a Backcountry Hut Pass or Hut Ticket that you must buy before your trip.
2. Book and pay for the hut
You can book a hut online from the hut's web page. Some huts may also be bookable through contacting the local visitor centre.
You pay for the hut when you book. Fees are based on the category of hut.
Hut categories with facilities and fees for each category.
Backcountry Hut Pass
A Backcountry Hut Pass gives you unlimited use of most Serviced and Standard huts, as well as most campsites outside Serviced huts, for the period you buy the pass for.
How to purchase and use a Backcountry Hut Pass.
Te Araroa – the Trail Pass
Purchased through the Te Araroa Trust, the Trail Pass entitles trail users to stay in most DOC huts and campsites along the trail. The Trail Pass is retailed by the Te Araroa Trust.
Learn more and purchase the Trail Pass.
Backcountry Hut Ticket
If you prefer to 'pay as you go', or are only using huts occasionally, then buying hut tickets is a good option.
How to purchase and use a Backcountry Hut Ticket.
3. Use your confirmation email as proof of booking
When you book or purchase a pass you'll get a confirmation email. You can use this as proof of your booking.
You can print off your email or download it on to a digital device to present when needed. Ensure that you have it downloaded and saved before your trip, as this must be available on request.
How to modify or cancel your booking
It is easy to modify or cancel your bookings. Just log back into your booking account on the DOC booking system.
- Select My Account in the green bar, top right of page.
- Then select All GW bookings to see your Great Walks bookings or My Bookings for all non Great Walk hut, campsite and lodge bookings.
- Find the booking you want to change
- Click Cancel to cancel your booking
- Click Modify to change dates, change number of people, change a persons details for Great Walks bookings or change number of nights.
You can email a copy of your confirmation to yourself by selecting reprint.