New Zealand’s backcountry huts make walking in the outdoors a joy. Read about the amenities at the different huts and how to buy hut tickets or passes here.
Growing up in the USA I became accustomed to sleeping in tiny tents when spending time in the mountains and backcountry. When we moved to New Zealand we discovered the incredible benefits of backcountry huts. The huts make exploring the backcountry easy, especially with wet or cold weather. Here is a bit of a primer that explains the amenities available at the different types of huts and some tips on buying hut tickets.
About New Zealand’s Backcountry Huts
A few books have been written about the backcountry huts that dot the New Zealand landscape, so I’m not going to get into that here. Suffice to say that many of the huts have long histories and special places in the hearts of people. The huts are located in iconic locations across the country and have been used by mountaineers, hunters, anglers, and families for years.
The Department of Conservation manages about 950 huts across the country. There are several categories of huts, based on what is available at them – basic, standard, serviced, or great walk.
Amenities At The Different Category Of Backcountry Huts
Basic Hut
This is the most basic hut that is free to stay at and can’t be booked in advance. These huts have a roof, walls, and limited facilities.
Standard Hut
This is the next step up in terms of comfort and amenities. These huts have mattresses, water, and drop toilets. They may have a wood stove, but many don’t.
Serviced Hut
These huts include bunks with mattresses, communal cooking areas, water, drop toilets, and a wood stove. Some of them may have cooking facilities (such as a stove and gas), but best to bring your own stove and gas to be safe. Some of the popular ones may have a hut warden during the busy time of year.
Great Walk Hut
These are the top of the line, fanciest huts you can find, but you will pay more to stay here. During the great walk season (October to May), you must book ahead of time. These have mattresses, water, toilets, hand washing facilities, some include cooking stoves and gas, and they usually have a hut warden.
Can You Book A Hut In Advance?
Most of the backcountry huts can not be booked in advance and are a first come first serve basis. This can be challenging as popular huts fill up fast and will be overflowing with visitors. Most of the time you can sleep on the floor, so it’s a good idea to bring along a sleeping pad to those busy huts. The best way to learn the popularity of a hut is to call the local DOC office and ask.
Some huts, especially the Great Walk huts, and some standard huts in very popular areas, can be booked in advance. You can search for individual huts to see if you can book them online through DOC’s website here.
How To Buy Backcountry Hut Tickets Or Passes?
Individual Tickets Or A 6 Month Or Annual Pass
There are two options when it comes to buying hut tickets, either buy a ticket for each night or you can buy a 6 month or annual pass. If you are only staying in a few huts then go with the individual tickets. However, it you are planning on staying in many huts then you would be better off buying a 6 month or annual pass.
The individual tickets cost – adults tickets: standard $5, serviced $15; youth (age 11 – 17) standard $2.50, serviced $7.50 ; children (under 11) free. Individual tickets do not expire and can be used anywhere in the country. If you buy several standard tickets, but stay at a service hut you can simply use 3 of the $5 standard tickets which are equal to 1 $15 serviced hut ticket.
6 month pass – This is valid for 6 months from the time of your purchase and can be used as many nights as you want. The cost is – adult (18 and up) $92; youth (11 – 17) $46, and children (under 11) free. Note – you can’t use a pass to stay at a bookable hut.
Annual pass – This is valid for 12 months from the time of your purchase and can be used as many nights as you want. The cost is – adult (18 and up) $122; youth (11 – 17) $61, and children (under 11) free. Note – you can’t use a pass to stay at a bookable hut.
Where To Buy Tickets?
You can buy tickets at any DOC visitor centre in the country. You can also buy tickets at the iSites that are conveniently located throughout the country. Tickets are also available at some outdoor retailer stores across the country, such as MacPac, Kathmandu, and Fishing and Hunting (note – not all of these stores sell them, so best to check with your local store).