Tasman District

Outdoor adventures in Tasman Region

This collection highlights the backcountry network of the Tasman Region, spanning Nelson Lakes and Kahurangi National Parks. It features historic sites like Asbestos Cottage, where residents lived in isolation for decades, and high-alpine destinations like Angelus Hut, situated at 1,650 meters. The list covers essential stopovers for the Travers-Sabine Circuit and the Tablelands tracks, including Blue Lake Hut, located near the world’s clearest freshwater lake. These huts provide shelter for hikers navigating limestone karst landscapes and glacial valleys.

Outdoor Adventures — Map

A

Speargrass Hut

A 12-bunk backcountry hut in Nelson Lakes National Park, providing an alternative route to Angelus Hut through the Speargrass Valley.

B

Balloon Hut

Located on the Tableland in Kahurangi National Park, this 14-bunk hut serves as a junction for tracks leading to Salisbury Lodge and the Cobb Valley.

C

Moa Park Shelter

A basic timber shelter located in a sub-alpine tussock clearing within Kahurangi National Park.

D

Asbestos Cottage

Historic residence built in 1897, famously home to Henry and Annie Chaffey for 40 years. It is situated near the Flora Saddle in Kahurangi National Park.

E

Angelus Hut

High-altitude serviced hut situated at 1,650 meters on the shores of Lake Angelus, accessible via the Robert Ridge or Speargrass tracks.

F

Blue Lake Hut

Situated near Rotomairewhenua, which holds the record for the clearest natural freshwater in the world. A key stop on the Travers-Sabine Circuit.

G

Sabine Hut

A 32-bunk serviced hut located on the northern shore of Lake Rotoroa at the mouth of the Sabine River.

H

Salisbury Lodge

Large serviced hut on the Salisbury Openings in Kahurangi National Park, providing access to the Mt Arthur Tablelands and limestone karst features.

I

Mt Arthur Hut

Located at the bushline below the Mt Arthur summit, offering views over Tasman Bay and access to marble karst cave systems.

J

Fenella Hut

Serviced hut in the upper Cobb Valley featuring stained-glass windows and a memorial plaque. A natural swimming hole is located in the nearby creek.

K

Cliff Traverse

A narrow, exposed alpine route connecting the Mt Arthur area to the Tablelands, requiring navigation along limestone bluffs.

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