The Department of Conservation operates over 950 huts across New Zealand's public conservation land. These range from basic four-bunk shelters in remote alpine areas to comfortable Great Walk huts with gas cookers and mattresses. This guide explains the different hut categories, booking systems, and what to expect.
Hut Categories
Great Walk Huts
The premier huts on New Zealand's Great Walks. These are comfortable, well-maintained, and include mattresses, gas cookers, heating, solar lighting, toilets, and water supply. They sleep 20–40 people in bunk rooms. Staff are often present in summer.
- Cost: $32–$65/adult per night
- Booking: Essential year-round. Available via DOC Great Walks booking portal.
- Pass validity: Backcountry Hut Pass NOT valid. Purchase individual hut tickets.
Serviced Huts (Standard Backcountry Huts)
The most common type of backcountry hut. These typically have mattresses, a wood-burner or gas heater, toilet, and water supply. Some have gas cookers. Sleeps 4–20 people.
- Cost: $15–$25/adult per night (or Backcountry Hut Pass)
- Booking: Some require booking, most are first-come, first-served on a ticket system
- Pass validity: Backcountry Hut Pass valid. Also available as individual tickets (BETTs).
Basic Huts
Simple shelters — often no mattresses, no stove, no heating. Usually four bunks (wooden platforms). Provides shelter from the elements and basic sleeping space.
- Cost: Free or $5/adult per night
- Booking: Not required. First-come, first-served.
- Pass validity: Free huts need no pass. Some require a standard Backcountry Hut Ticket.
Bivouacs (Bivvies)
The most basic shelter — a small box (usually 1–2 bunks) with just four walls and a roof. No facilities beyond the structure itself. Emergency shelter for trampers in remote areas.
- Cost: Free
- Booking: Not required
- Note: These are emergency shelters — not for planned stays if alternatives exist.
Hut Booking & Payment Systems
Backcountry Hut Pass
The Backcountry Hut Pass costs $122 (2025/26 season) and is valid for one year from purchase. It gives access to all standard serviced backcountry huts. Does NOT cover Great Walk huts, serviced Alpine Club huts, or some serviced huts on the West Coast.
Where to buy: DOC offices, i-SITE visitor centres, and some outdoor stores.
Backcountry Hut Tickets (BETTs)
Individual tickets for standard backcountry huts. Available as physical or electronic tickets. Cost $15–$25 per night.
One ticket per person per night. The ticket system is an honesty system — fill in the book in the hut and attach your ticket. Used mainly on popular tracks where booking isn't available.
Great Walk Tickets
Great Walk huts require specific Great Walk tickets. These must be booked online in advance. The Backcountry Hut Pass is NOT valid for these huts.
What to Expect at a DOC Hut
Each DOC hut has a sign or noticeboard with hut rules and emergency information. Here's what's typically provided:
- Mattresses: Most serviced and Great Walk huts provide foam mattresses. Basic huts have wooden platforms (no mattress).
- Toilets: Serviced huts have toilets (long drop). Great Walk huts may have flush toilets.
- Water supply: Rainwater tanks or stream nearby. Always treat water unless a sign says it's tested.
- Cooking: Great Walk huts have gas cookers. Serviced huts may have a gas cooker or wood stove. Basic huts have no cooking facilities.
- Lighting: Great Walk huts have solar lighting. Others rely on candles or head torches.
- Heating: Most serviced huts have a wood burner. Basic huts have no heating.
- What to bring: Sleeping bag (not provided), cooking gear, food, toilet paper, first aid kit, and hut shoes/slippers.
Hut Etiquette
- Sign the hut book — this is important for search and rescue
- Leave the hut clean for the next occupants — sweep, wipe, re-split kindling
- Keep noise down after 8 pm — others are resting
- Pack out all rubbish — don't leave food scraps that attract rodents
- Use the toilet properly — never go near water sources
- Don't move mattresses between huts
- Share the hut space — if the hut fills up late at night, make room for latecomers
Booking a Hut: Step by Step
- Visit the DOC website (doc.govt.nz)
- Search for your track or region
- Check the hut category and booking requirements
- For Great Walks — book online when the booking window opens (usually June)
- For serviced huts — buy a Backcountry Hut Pass or individual tickets from a DOC office or online
- For basic huts — just show up (no booking needed)
- Download the DOC app for offline maps and hut information
Staying in DOC huts is a rite of passage for anyone tramping in New Zealand. With over 950 huts scattered across the country's most beautiful landscapes, there's always a hut to aim for on your next adventure.