Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION (DOC) HUTS & CAMPSITES
Huts
DOC maintains a network of more than 950 huts in its national parks, conservation
areas and reserves. The majority of these operate on a first-come, first-served basis
and fall into three categories, paid for with Backcountry Hut Passes or hut tickets
(which you purchase before your trip):
Serviced Huts
(
www.doc.govt.nz;
$15)
Equipped with mattresses, water supply, toi-
lets, hand-washing facilities and heating with fuel available; may have gas cooking fa-
cilities, and a warden.
Standard Huts
(
www.doc.govt.nz;
$5)
Mattresses, water supply and toilets; wood
heaters are provided at huts below the bushline.
Basic Huts
(
www.doc.govt.nz;
free)
Or 'Bivvy' - very basic enclosed shelter with lim-
ited facilities.
There are two other categories of huts.
Great Walk Huts
($15-52, varies by season)
are
the most comfortable, with mattresses, water supply, toilets, hand washing facilities
and heating with fuel available. They may have solar lighting, gas cooking facilities and
a hut warden. Bookings are essential and can be made via
Great Walks Bookings
(
0800 694 732;
www.greatwalks.co.nz;
per night $54)
or in person at any DOC Visitor Centre.
Most of these huts revert to Serviced or Standard Huts out of the Great Walk season.
There are also private club huts that are open to the public, such as those owned by
the New Zealand Alpine Club (NZAC). These have mattresses, a water supply, toilets
and hand-washing facilities. They may have heating and cooking facilities. Backcoun-
try Hut Passes and hut tickets are generally not valid at club huts and bookings may
be required.
Campsites
There are also plenty of campsites throughout the DOC estate, which are either paid
for in cash when you arrive at the campsite, or to a camp warden, or in some cases
when you book via
www.doc.govt.nz.
They fall into the following categories:
Bacckcouunttrry c
y campsiites(free) - with toilets and a water supply, which may be from a
stream. They may have picnic tables, cooking shelters or fireplaces.
Basic c
ic campsiites(free) - very limited facilities so you need to be fully self-sufficient.
There are basic toilets and water from a tank, stream or lake. Access may be by road
or boat.
SStanddarrd c
d campsiite($6) - with toilets (usually the composting or pit variety), water
supply (tap, stream or lake) and vehicle or boat access. Wood barbecues and fire-
places, showers (cold), picnic tables, a cooking shelter and rubbish bins may be
provided.
