West Coast Region

Wilderness huts and shelters in West Coast Region

Wilderness Huts & Alpine Shelters

This collection features essential backcountry accommodation across New Zealand’s rugged South Island, ranging from modern Great Walk facilities to remote alpine bivouacs. These shelters provide strategic access to the Paparoa Range, Kahurangi National Park, and the Southern Alps. Highlights include historic mining-era sites on the Croesus Track and high-altitude bases for mountaineers. Each location offers vital refuge and serves as a gateway to exploring glacial valleys, limestone plateaus, and coastal forests.

Wilderness Huts & Alpine Shelters — Map

A

Heaphy Hut

Modern 28-bunk facility at the Heaphy River mouth. Features large windows with views of the Tasman Sea and surrounding nikau palm forests.

B

Brewster Hut

High-altitude red hut at 1,450 meters. Serves as a base for Brewster Glacier and Mt Brewster ascents in Mount Aspiring National Park.

C

Moonlight Tops Hut

Located on the Paparoa Track Great Walk. Offers 20 bunks and expansive views across the Paparoa Range to the Tasman Sea.

D

James Mackay Hut

Situated at 750 meters on the Heaphy Track. Provides views of the Heaphy River mouth and the West Coast coastline.

E

Ces Clark Hut

A 16-bunk hut on the Croesus Track. Built in 1986, it overlooks the Grey Valley and sits near historic gold mining sites.

F

Colin Todd Hut

Remote alpine shelter on the Ship Creek ridge. Primary base for climbers attempting the North West Ridge of Mt Aspiring.

G

Saxon Hut

Located in a wide tussock clearing on the Gouland Downs section of the Heaphy Track at 600 meters elevation.

H

Kelman Hut

High-altitude shelter on the Tasman Glacier. Essential base for mountaineering and ski touring in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

I

Ivory Lake Hut

Six-bunk remote shelter on the edge of a glacial lake in the Waitaha Forest, surrounded by steep rocky terrain.

J

Historic Cedar Flat Hut

Refurbished 1950s Forest Service hut in the Toaroha River valley. Located near natural hot springs and a modern 12-bunk hut.

K

Mt Brown Hut

Volunteer-maintained hut on a ridge overlooking Lake Kaniere. Rebuilt in 2010 on the site of a former 1960s forestry hut.

L

Lewis Hut

Positioned at the junction of the Lewis and Heaphy Rivers. Features modern facilities rebuilt during the 2013 track upgrades.

M

Kirwans Hut

Located near Reefton on Kirwans Hill. Offers views of the Victoria Range and access to historic gold mining machinery.

N

Larrikin Creek Hut

Small shelter on the Thousand Acre Plateau in Kahurangi National Park, surrounded by unique limestone karst landscapes.

O

Mungo Hut

Standard four-bunk backcountry shelter in the Hokitika River catchment, used primarily by experienced trampers in the Southern Alps.

Other Lists

West Coast Region Essentials New Zealand's Highest Peaks Majestic Glaciers and Ice Waterfalls and Caves Best West Coast Campsites Lakes and Wetlands