New Zealand Hut to Hut Hiking: What is it Like to Stay in a Hut?© NZPocketGuide.com
New Zealand Hut to Hut Hiking: What is it Like to Stay in a Hut?

NZ Hut to Hut Hiking: What is it Like to Stay in a Hut?

© NZPocketGuide.com

A Guide to Staying in a Backcountry Hut in New Zealand

Hut-to-hut hiking is an iconic experience in New Zealand, known to locals as “tramping”. With around 950 huts across the country, New Zealand has one of the best hut networks between its hiking trails. But huts are not hotels; designed to give you basic relief and shelter from the elements when spending a few days outdoors. With that, it’s best to be prepared and set your expectations right for staying in a New Zealand hut. So, find out what it’s like to stay in a hut in New Zealand in this guide to New Zealand hut-to-hut hiking.

The Different Types of Huts

There are four different types of backcountry huts in New Zealand that are managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC). They differ slightly in facilities and prices. It’s worth noting, however, that even huts within the same category differ in facilities. For that reason, check out the hut facilities on the DOC website for the specific hut you are staying in.

Great Walk Huts

There are 10 New Zealand Great Walks with their own hut category. Great Walk huts are equipped with at least a water supply, heating, mattresses, washing facilities, toilets and heating with fuel and a hut warden. Some have gas cookers. Prices range from NZ$25 to $110 per person per night, depending on the walk, the season and whether you are a local or international visitor. Prices are updated frequently so head to the pricing page on the DOC website.

Serviced Huts

Similar to the Great Walk huts, serviced huts have mattresses, water supply, toilets, handwashing facilities, heating with fuel available and sometimes a warden. They are the most common type of hut you’ll find in New Zealand. Prices are NZ$25 per adult per night and NZ$12.50 per child.

Standard Huts

Standard huts are more basic. They have mattresses, a water supply and a toilet, and sometimes a wood burner. Fees are NZ$10 per person per night and NZ$5 per child.

Basic Huts/Bivvies

Basic huts/bivvies provide basic shelter with limited facilities. Sometimes there are mattresses. They are free to use.

New Zealand Hut to Hut Hiking: What is it Like to Stay in a Hut?© NZPocketGuide.com

What to Expect and What to Take at a Hut

Knowing what to expect from a hut in New Zealand will help you know what to take. Again, check out the hut facilities on the DOC website for the specific hut you are staying in so you have a better idea of what to expect.

Sleeping in Huts

Huts have large shared sleeping quarters with mattresses lined with a waterproof fabric. There are typically two bunk levels and mattresses lined up side-by-side on each bunk. Quarters sleep from four to up to 40 people, but usually around 10 people.

Cooking in Huts

Most huts have benches to prepare food and that’s it. Some may have sinks with running water, while the most “luxurious” of the Great Walk huts have gas cookers. You will not find electricity, rubbish bins, food, cooking utensils (in most cases), nor someone to clean up after you.

Bathrooms

Most huts only have a drop/pit toilet in a cubicle outside of the hut. Some huts have flushing toilets. There are no showers, no soap and no toilet paper. Occasionally, a hut has hot water.

What to Pack for Staying in a Hut

And for general packing tips, head over to How to Prepare for a Great Walk in New Zealand with tips that apply to all New Zealand hut-to-hut hikes.

New Zealand Hut to Hut Hiking: What is it Like to Stay in a Hut?© NZPocketGuide.com

How to Book/Pay for a Hut

Almost all of the huts in New Zealand have a fee to stay (except for the ones we list in the 12 Free Multi-Day Hikes in New Zealand). Some huts require you to book your space in advance, while others are on a first-come-first-served basis with a hut pass or ticket.

Bookable Huts

Find out whether you need to book your chosen hut on the DOC website. Bookable huts are selected to show on this page of the DOC website.

Huts are booked through the DOC website by following the links on your chosen hut page or through the DOC booking system. You can pay with a Backcountry Hut Pass or credit/debit card; but not with a hut ticket. You can also book some huts through DOC visitor centres.

First-Come-First-Served Huts

Some huts are first-come-first-served but still have a fee. To pay this fee, you need either a Backcountry Hut Pass or a Backcountry Hut Ticket.

A Backcountry Hut Ticket can be purchased at a DOC visitor centre and these retailers are listed on the DOC website. Put your ticket in the honesty box of the hut.

For paying with a Backcountry Hut Pass, write your name and pass number into the hut book. Also have proof of a Backcountry Hut Pass, print or digital, and identification in case they are requested by a hut warden.

New Zealand Hut to Hut Hiking: What is it Like to Stay in a Hut?© NZPocketGuide.com

New Zealand Hut Etiquette

If you’re new to staying in huts in New Zealand, here are some hut etiquette that you need to know.

  • Leave shoes/boots and wet clothing outside
  • Roll out your sleeping bag on an empty mattress to claim that place to sleep
  • Don’t move other people’s stuff
  • If all beds are taken, sleep on the floor (and out of the way)
  • Store mattresses upright after use
  • Cook with a window open
  • Only cook on metal benches, if available
  • Keep your belongings and bags tidy and together
  • Keep noise to a minimum, especially after dark and early morning
  • Follow the fire/log burner rules for the hut
  • Restock wood supplies you use (but don’t cut down live trees)
  • Fill in the hut book, if there is one
  • Welcome new arrivals; don’t act like you own the place
  • Don’t put rubbish in the fire or down the toilet (take it with you)
  • Be friendly
  • Sweep the floor if you’re last to leave the hut
  • Kids are welcome, but they must follow the above hut etiquette too.
NZ Hut to Hut Hiking: What is it Like to Stay in a Hut?© Tourism New Zealand

Frequently Asked Questions About Huts in New Zealand

If we haven’t already answered your question about New Zealand hut-to-hut hiking, then it might be answered in these frequently asked questions.

What is a Hut in New Zealand?

Huts in New Zealand usually refer to basic lodgings located alongside hiking trails. They typically consist of mattresses, heating in the form of a fireplace and a water supply. Most are managed and maintained by the New Zealand Department of Conservation.

How Many Huts are there in New Zealand?

There are approximately 950 huts throughout New Zealand that are managed by the Department of Conservation. In addition, there are tens more huts around the country that are privately owned and operated.

What is the Highest Hut in New Zealand?

The highest hut in New Zealand is the Plateau Hut at an elevation of 2,200 m (7,218 ft). It is located in the Aoraki Mt Cook National Park and can only be accessed by mountaineers.

More on What is it Like to Stay in a Hut in New Zealand

That’s it for our guide to New Zealand hut-to-hut hiking and what it is like to stay in a hut in New Zealand. For more multi-day hiking tips, hut passes and more, take a look at the following guides:

Finally, check out some of the best hikes across the country in The Top 50 Hikes in New Zealand.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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