_{New Zealand's 14 most scenic}

DOC HUTS

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Mt Brown Hut, Hokitika. Photo / Jason Blair, Flickr.com

Mt Brown Hut, Hokitika. Photo / Sara Larcombe, Flickr.com

The Orange hut

1. Mt Brown Hut, Hokitika

This humble, orange shelter was built by the Mt Brown Community Project Team. Overlooking the wild West Coast, the bivouac site for four campers offers majestic views towards Lake Kaniere, Hokitika and the Tasman Sea.

Ideal for first-time trampers and families.

Heating, toilets, bunks for four.
Free to use.

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Mt Brown Hut, Hokitika. Photo / Sara Larcombe, Flickr.com

Liverpool Hut, Mount Aspiring. Photo / Visit Wanaka

Edge of Godzone

2 Liverpool Hut, Mount Aspiring

At the centre of Makarora, Liverpool Hut sits on a level with the glacial Rob Roy Peak. Perhaps the only structure more well-appointed than the hut is its rust-red outhouse. There are few more bracing walks than the one to the long drop.

Toilets and bunks for 10.

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Mueller Hut, Aoraki. Photo / Daniel Pietzsch, Flickr.com

Red roofs

3 Mueller Hut, Aoraki

The crimson-red tin hut at the heart of Mount Cook National Park is an alpine icon. Walking the four-hour Mueller Hut route feels like you're in the footsteps of Edmund Hillary. During the cooler months, it is on a level with the snowline of New Zealand's highest peaks. Annapurna, here we come!

Cooking facilities, lights, toilets, bunks for 28.
$45 a night per adult.

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Mueller Hut, Aoraki. Photo / Francisco Siller; DoC

Mueller Hut, Aoraki. Photo / Daniel Pietzsch, Flickr.com

Mueller Hut, Aoraki. Photo / Francisco Siller; DoC

Crosbies Hut, Coromandel. Photo / Supplied

Architect’s choice

4 Crosbies Hut, Coromandel

Modern, minimal design and minimally priced, the cube-like Crosbies Hut looks over the Firth of Thames, Table Mountain and the Coromandel ranges. Within striking distance of Auckland, the decking and striking appearance make it the architect's choice of backcountry hut.

Heating, toilets, bunks for 10.
$15 a night.

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Anchorage Bay Hut, Abel Tasman. Photo / Shellie Evans;

Beach bunks

5 Anchorage Hut, Tasman

A beachfront hut in one of the most secluded white-sand coves on the Abel Tasman Walk. With water taxi links, you can arrive by boat or along one of New Zealand's favourite Great Walks.

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Anchorage Bay Hut, Abel Tasman. Photo / Shellie Evans;

Mt Heale Hut, Great Barrier Island. Photo / ATEED

Aotea getaway

6 Mt Heale Hut, Great Barrier Island

At the top of Aotea Island, the balcony offers an awesome view of Little Barrier and the other surrounding islands at the end of a four-hour walk. With only petrels for neighbours, and no electricity grid to speak of, the hut in the Dark Sky Sanctuary could be New Zealand's best for stargazing.

Heating, toilets and bunks for 34.
From $32 a night.

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Lake MacKenzie Hut, Routeburn. Photo / Katie Alaska Hokie, Flickr.com

Routeburn Rest

7 Lake Mackenzie Hut, Routeburn

Halfway through one of New Zealand's Great Walks, there is no easy way to get to the Lake Mackenzie hanging valley. However, it's worth the effort. Accessed by a cliff-side walkway past the camping sites, take a dip in the chilly glacial tarn.

At $65 a night, this breaks the budget, however, experienced hikers can enjoy the huts in the off-season (May 1, 2021 – November 1, 2021) for just $15 a night. Get in early!

With heating, cooking facilities and (flush!) toilets.
Sleeps 50.

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Lake MacKenzie Hut, Routeburn. Photo / Katie Alaska Hokie, Flickr.com

Siberia Hut, Mount Aspiring. Photo / Francisco Siller

Deepest Siberia

8 Siberia Hut, Mount Aspiring

In the middle of a monumental glacial valley, in vast tussock flats, Siberia Hut is walled in by the Southern Alps. In the middle of the four-day Gillespie Pass Circuit, Siberia is accessible by tramping or jetboating.

Heating, toilets, bunks for 20.

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Welcome Flats, West Coast. Photo / DOC

Welcome break

9 Welcome Flat Hut, West Coast

At the end of a day's walk from the Franz Josef road, Welcome Flat is next to New Zealand's southernmost hot pools. Hot pools and snow-capped mountains aren't the only things of note: the Sierra Room is a private hut with a shower and a potbelly stove, for use by groups of up to four.

Heating, toilets and four additional bunks in the main cabin.
$20 a night.
Sierra Room $100 per night for up to four.

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Welcome Flats, West Coast. Photo / DOC

North Arm Hut, Rakiura Stewart Island. Photo / DOC

Bird paradise

10 North Arm Hut, Stewart Island

On the Rakiura Trail, the North Arm is one of the best places to spot a Stewart Island kiwi in the wild. At the edge of the Paterson Inlet and Sawdust Bay, you can arrive on foot or by water taxi.

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North Arm Hut, Rakiura Stewart Island. Photo / DOC

Mt Fyffe Hut, Kaikoura. Photo / DOC

Kaikōura skies

11 Mt Fyffe Hut, Kaikōura

With views over the Kaikōura coast, the Mt Fyffe Hut is a chance to look at the dramatic, seismic landscape from a height.
Heater, bunks for 8.
$5 per night.

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Mt Fyffe Hut, Kaikoura. Photo / DOC

Lane Cove Hut, Northland. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Safe harbour

12 Lane Cove Hut, Northland

The most northerly DoC hut provides a winterless Northland escape in the Whangaroa Harbour. It is surrounded by regal-looking Kaiaraara Rocks, also known as the Duke's Nose for their striking profile.

Toilets, bunks for 16.

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Plateau Hut, Aoraki: Photo / Tim Donnelly, Flickr

Glacial Cool

13 Plateau Hut, Aoraki

A classic alpine hut at more than 2200m, Plateau feels more like a Himalayan base camp than a DoC hut. Offering views over the Grand Plateau Glacier, this is one for experienced mountaineers only.

Cooking facilities, lights, toilets and bunks for 33.
$40 a night ($20 for NZ Alpine Club members).

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Plateau Hut, Aoraki: Photo / Tim Donnelly, Flickr

The Copland Shelte, Aoraki. Photo / Andrew John Mitchell, Flickr.com

Small comfort

14 Copland Shelter, Aoraki

A shelter of last resort, this basic bivouac is more of a baked bean can than a hut. At the end of the Copland Pass, above the Hooker Glacier, what it lacks in comfort it makes up in views.

One for experienced hikers .

Free with bunks for up to four hikers.

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DoC hut users code

1. Tidy up. The broom, brush and pan are part of the deal. Leve muddy boots at the door and always leave the hut tidier than when you found it.
2. Only use as much as you need. Cooking facilities are for everyone. Keep the hut well ventilated and make sure stoves are turned off when you leave.
3. Wood burners are a privilege. Be safe, careful and considerate when lighting the fire. Use wood sparingly and replace any you use for the next visitors.
4. Share. There should be plenty of space for all. Make room for latecomers and – shhh! Keep quiet if others are sleeping.
5. Leave no trace. Carry all rubbish out that you brought in with you.
6. No smoking indoors. (And take cigarette butts with you.)
7. Hunters and fishers, follow the safety codes.
8. No dogs.
9. Before leaving, close doors and windows securely.
10. Always pay hut fees.

Remember to check DoC route notices for track conditions and tell someone where you are going.

Words: Thomas Bywater
travel@nzherald.co.nz
nzherald.co.nz/travel