Queenstown Lakes District Council

Wilderness huts in Queenstown Lakes

This collection features remote backcountry accommodation across Mount Aspiring National Park, the Motatapu Track, and the Hunter Valley. These huts range from historical gold-mining shelters like Dynamo Hut to high-altitude alpine bivvies like Esquilant Bivvy. Most are managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and provide essential shelter for hikers on the Te Araroa trail or climbers targeting peaks like Mt Brewster. Facilities vary from basic corrugated iron bivs with long-drop toilets to serviced 20-bunk huts with heating and mattresses.

Queenstown Wilderness Huts — Map

A

Liverpool Hut

High-altitude 10-bunk hut in the Matukituki Valley, featuring views of Mt Aspiring. Accessible via a steep, challenging bush climb.

B

Steele Creek Lodge

Private 10-bunk accommodation in the Caples Valley, managed by the NZ Deerstalkers Association. Requires separate booking.

C

Greenstone Hut

A 20-bunk serviced DOC hut located on the Greenstone Track, near the junction with the Steele Creek track.

D

Roses Hut

A 12-bunk standard DOC hut on the Motatapu Track, part of the Te Araroa trail. Includes a wood burner and rainwater supply.

E

Fern Burn Hut

The first hut on the Motatapu Track from the Wanaka side, providing 12 bunks and basic cooking facilities.

F

Miners Hut

Basic shelter located near the historic Macetown settlement, reflecting the region's 19th-century gold mining heritage.

G

Kerin Forks Hut

Situated at the junction of the Wilkin and Siberia valleys, this 10-bunk hut is accessible by jet boat or river crossing.

H

Brewster Hut

A bright red 12-bunk alpine hut located above the bushline near Haast Pass, offering views of the Brewster Glacier.

I

Esquilant Bivvy Hut

A high-alpine 6-bunk bivouac on Wright Col, used primarily by climbers ascending Mt Earnslaw (Pikirakatahi).

J

Stone hut

Located in the upper Rees Valley on the Rees-Dart Track, this 20-bunk hut provides shelter below the Rees Saddle.

K

Bull Flat Hut

A basic 4-bunk hut in the Dingle Burn valley, popular with hunters and trampers exploring the Lake Hawea backcountry.

L

Green Bush Hut

A 4-bunk basic hut on the western shore of Lake Hawea, accessible via the Dingle Burn track.

M

Pakituhi Hut

An 8-bunk hut situated on the Breast Hill section of the Te Araroa trail, overlooking Lake Hawea and the Southern Alps.

N

Highland Creek Hut

A 12-bunk standard DOC hut on the Motatapu Track, positioned between Fern Burn and Roses huts.

O

Dynamo Hut

Historical 4-bunk hut near Bullendale, once serving the site of the Southern Hemisphere’s first industrial hydro-electric plant.

P

Bullendale Hut

Corrugated iron hut located in the Richardson Mountains, marking the site of a significant 1880s gold mining settlement.

Q

Top Dingle Hut

A basic 6-bunk hut located in the headwaters of the Dingle Burn, north of Lake Hawea.

R

Moonlight And Roses Hut

Small, basic shelter located in the Moonlight Valley, historically used by musterers and gold miners.

S

Stodys Hut

A historic 6-bunk musterer's hut built with corrugated iron and beech poles, located on the Breast Hill track.

T

Forbes Hut

A 6-bunk basic hut in the Hunter Valley at the head of Lake Hawea, used for tramping and hunting.

U

Ferguson Hut

Basic 6-bunk accommodation located in the Hunter Valley, providing access to the surrounding alpine terrain.

V

Bush Hut

A 6-bunk basic hut situated in the Hunter Valley, managed by the Department of Conservation.

W

Cotters Hut

Historical 4-bunk hut in the Hunter Valley, reflecting early pastoral farming history in the Hawea region.

X

Top Timaru Hut

A 12-bunk standard DOC hut located in the Timaru River valley, often used by Te Araroa walkers.