Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Backcountry Huts & Campsites
In addition to Great Walk huts, DOC maintains more than 950 Backcountry Huts in NZ's
national and forest parks. Hut categories are as follows:
»
Basic Huts
Just a shed; free.
»
Standard Huts
No cooking equipment and sometimes no heating, but mattresses, water supply and toilets. Fees are
$5 per adult per night.
»
Serviced Huts
Mattress-equipped bunks or sleeping platforms, water supply, heating, toilets and sometimes cooking
facilities. Fees are $15 per adult per night.
Note that bookings are required for some huts (see the website for listings): book online at
https://booking.doc.govt.nz
or at DOC visitor centres. Prices for kids aged 11 to 17 are
half those listed here; kids 10 and under stay free. For comprehensive hut details see
If you do a lot of tramping, a six-month
Backcountry Hut Pass
($92 per adult) might
be a good idea; otherwise use or pay-as-you-go
Hut Tickets
($5: you'll need to use three
of these for a Serviced Hut). Date your tickets and put them in the boxes provided at huts.
Accommodation is on a first-come, first-served basis. In the low season (May to Septem-
ber), Backcountry Hut Tickets and Passes can also be used to procure a bunk or campsite
on some Great Walks.
Backcountry Campsites
are often nearby the huts, and usually have toilets and fresh
water; possibly picnic tables, fire places and/or cooking shelters. Prices vary from free to
$8 per person per night.
