Arthurs Pass huts, shelters and campsites

The landscape around Arthurs Pass is shaped by the two major rivers: the Waimakariri, which flows east, and the Taramakau flowing west. This leaves the big spine of mountains between the two major valleys, Mount Rolleston in the west, to Tainui Peak in the east, and a whole lot of tributaries flowing either north or south.

Trampers have somewhat of a problem: it’s not so easy to conjure up a circuit, there’s not so many easy passes to get from one valley to the next, there’s plenty who ended up scooting up one valley and then retreating, particularly in the cooler months when snow and/or avalanches are common.

The huts are generally good.

Be warned that due to the proximity to Christchurch in the summer months more accessible huts fill up. Take your chances, or take a tent.

Many of the smaller, older style, ie, falling down bivvies have been removed in recent times. There’s also two spots where accommodation is missing: there’s no hut at all towards the bottom of the Deception River, and it would be useful to have a proper hut near Minchin Pass to help with the creation of a decent circuit, but I guess that would also require a better route to be found up from the Taramakau.

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Andrews Shelter and campsite | Arthurs Pass National Park

The shelter is basic with a roof and four walls, but it does have doors to allow full enclosure, and some not quite comfortable and narrow benches.

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Anti Crow Hut | Arthurs Pass National Park

Anti Crow Hut is an old New Zealand Forest Service SF70 hut from back in the day, which has been well enough preserved.

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Bealey Hut | Arthurs Pass National Park

Bealey Hut is an old NZFS-style hut that has had its fireplace removed but is otherwise in fair nick.

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Bealey Spur Hut | Arthurs Pass National Park

Many hours could be spent attempting to find the oldest graffiti. Worth a visit.

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Carrington Hut | Arthurs Pass National Park

Arthurs Pass National Park must have envisaged a high level of use up at Carrington Hut. 36 bunks in four bunkrooms, with two separate kitchen/living areas.

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Carroll Hut | Arthurs Pass National Park

While Carroll Hut may be in the clouds for much of the time, if the day is clear, the view from up there is sure magnificent.

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Casey Hut | Arthurs Pass National Park

One of the typical recent DOC one-room huts, opened October 2020, with big double-glazed windows to take in the view and sun, plenty of insulation, and a small woodburner to save on the wood.

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Cass Saddle Hut | Craigieburn Forest Park

Not too many of the old-style huts like Cass Saddle Hut still remain on popular tramping tracks. This windowless hut is a real blast from the past.

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Crow Hut | Arthurs Pass National Park

On a river terrace with great views over to the ramparts of Avalanche Peak, ie, an entirely mountainous backdrop.

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Dillon Hut | Arthurs Pass National Park

Not exactly a dramatic setting in amongst the regenerating bush in what was recently farmland but it’s comfortable accommodation, can’t complain about that.

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Dillons Homestead Hut | Arthurs Pass National Park

Once a modest farm house, Dillons Homestead Hut has now been converted into more traditional tramper’s accommodation with the addition of the bunks.

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Edwards Hut | Arthurs Pass National Park

Blue ducks/whio can be seen in the vicinity if you are observant.

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Goat Pass Hut | Arthurs Pass National Park

Goat Pass Hut has a great location, one of the more spectacular around. And a reasonable level of amenity, other than a lack of heating.

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Hamilton Hut | Craigieburn Forest Park

Hamilton Hut is surprisingly spacious accommodation, with two separate sleeping areas and an enormous central fireplace that is not used but houses a large firebox.

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Hawdon Hut | Arthurs Pass National Park

Hawdon Hut is popular due to its proximity to Christchurch and being a relatively easy walk from the car park, although some un-bridged river crossings are required.

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Hawdon Shelter and campsite | Arthurs Pass National Park

The Hawdon Shelter is basic, with a roof and three walls, no doors to allow full enclosure, and some not quite comfortable benches.

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Julia Hut - new | Arthurs Pass National Park

The new Julia Hut is not exactly new, just newer than the old Julia Hut a couple of minutes walk away.

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Julia Hut - old | Arthurs Pass National Park

The old, character filled Julia Hut has been totally and lovingly renovated in 2014 and is a fully fabbo place to stay.

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Kiwi Hut | Arthurs Pass National Park

Kiwi Hut is a standard issue NZFS 8 bunker set on the edge of attractive red beech tree forest, with a fireplace, although it’s not actually standard with its curiously large airlock room.

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Klondyke Corner campsite | Arthurs Pass National Park

The Klondyke Corner campsite has a basic shelter, with a roof and plenty of half height walls, ie, an excess of ventilation, and some not quite comfortable benches.

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Lagoon Saddle A-frame Hut | Craigieburn Forest Park

Lagoon Saddle A-frame Hut is one of two structures in close proximity. Not exactly sure why two shelters are needed. This is the more recent of the two.

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Lagoon Saddle Hut | Craigieburn Forest Park

DOC defines Lagoon Saddle Hut as “basic” and you’d have to agree. It’s a windowless large garden shed with a couple of mattress-less bunks and a small bench.

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Locke Stream Hut | Arthurs Pass National Park

Some bush construction skills are still evident, rafters, hand-hewn floorboards, etc. There’s plenty of character to soak up.

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Mid Taipo Hut | Arthurs Pass National Park

Mid Taipo Hut is a standard New Zealand Forest Service hut from the 1970s, although this has a large vestibule for any wet stuff.

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Minchin Bivvy | Arthurs Pass National Park

Minchin Bivvy is basically a wooden tent. You crawl in on your hands and knees. The door is half-height.

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Mingha Bivvy | Arthurs Pass National Park

Mingha Bivvy was just about completely rebuilt in 2019 with new piles, substructure, flooring, studs, roofing, and chimney. Only the original steel sheet cladding and roof structure was reinstated.

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Poulter Hut | Arthurs Pass National Park

Poulter Hut is not a bad place to spend a night and zip up to the beautiful Lake Minchin for some fishing or just to admire the splendid forest and views.

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Sudden Valley Bivvy | Arthurs Pass National Park

The Sudden Valley Bivvy is small and lacks heating, and for some crazy reason, is orientated away from the light, the result being some internal dampness and mould growth. Take care you don’t asphyxiate yourself with carbon monoxide poisoning, due to lack of ventilation.

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Townsend Hut | Arthurs Pass National Park

On a fine day it is worth the effort to climb the 800 m from the Taramakau valley floor. The good aspect: the track is generally well marked and short, ie, you climb quickly.

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Trust/ Poulter Hut | Arthurs Pass National Park

Trust/ Poulter Hut is one of the numerous NZFS SF70 huts that abound in the South Island backcountry. Originally constructed for the deer cullers, this is a particularly well-preserved example.

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Upper Deception Hut | Arthurs Pass National Park

Upper Deception Hut is really the Mid Deception and is the only hut on the Deception River. The Lower Deception Hut was burned in the 1980s so it could even be called simply the Deception Hut.

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West Harper Hut | Craigieburn Forest Park

West Harper Hut has considerable character: bush-cut structural timbers, no flooring provided, it’s dirt, hammock-style canvas bunks. Basically, the opportunity for a trip back to the distant past.

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Worsley Bivvy | Arthurs Pass National Park

Worsley Bivvy is an hour’s walk up the Poulter River from the Poulter Hut. I guess you go up here to avoid others, otherwise it’s a bit redundant.