Source: Department of Conservation
On the West Coast of the South Island, you’ll find a huge range of tramping opportunities – from simple overnighters suitable for young families to multi-day adventures for those with backcountry skills. We spoke with a few West Coast staff to hear about their favourite huts and adventures.
What’s your name? What’s your role?
Owen Kilgour, West Coast Operations Director, based in Hokitika
What is your favourite West Coast hut?
Kōhanga Atawhai – Manson Nicholls Hut
When did you first visit?
In 2022 it was our first overnight hike as a family with three young boys.
I have run into this hut frequently over the past eight years when visiting family who live close by.
Why do you like it?
Kōhanga Atawhai – Manson Nicholls Hut is the ideal first authentic kiwi tramping experience for families.
The original hut on this site, Manson-Nicholls Memorial Hut, was constructed in 1976 by members of the Christchurch Tramping Club and The Lake Daniell’s Fishing Club in memory of three young trampers who lost their lives nearby in 1974. The current hut was built by DOC staff especially for families and school groups. Every time I visit, it puts a smile on my face to see lots of kids enjoying their experience in nature.
How do you get there and long does it take someone with moderate fitness?
The hut is 3 hours walk from nearest road end on the Lake Daniell Track. It’s a great first tramp for families.
What’s your name? What’s your role?
Alex Malcolm, Recreation Ranger, Reefton
Favourite Hut?
Moonlight Tops Hut on the Paparoa Track.
When did you first visit?
September 2022 I think. I was the hut warden up there for a couple of seasons and it was such an epic place to spend eight days every other week watching the different weather patterns come and go and meeting lots of different people passing through
Why do you like it?
The highlight was always watching the most epic sunsets with a hot cup of tea above the hut, up a secret “spur”.
How do you get there and long does it take someone with moderate fitness?
Its 20 kilometres from Smoke-ho carpark. You need a moderate level of fitness as it’s lots of relentless uphill. You need to be fairly competent on a mountain bike as there are narrow sections, steep drop offs and lots of loose rogue rocks that can kick you off if you are not careful.
What’s your name? What’s your role?
Benjamin Pigott, Inspector – Checking huts, tracks and structures throughout the WSI backcountry.
What is your favourite West Coast hut?
I have two!
Jacko Flat Hut, located up the Crooked Valley.
When did you first visit?
March 2024, and then later in May along with a crew to undertake maintenance work. This took 10 days and we really gave the hut a birthday! New roof, piles, bearers & a paint to name a few of the jobs we did.
Why do you like it?
It sits in a beautiful remote valley with little tramping traffic. It’s now done up for all to enjoy!
How do you get there and long does it take someone with moderate fitness?
You’d want a good 8hr day of tramping to get in there. Moderate to difficult, but achievable by most parties with backcountry navigation skills who do their homework about track conditions.
What is your other favourite West Coast hut?
When did you first visit?
Oct 2024
Why do you like it?
It’s a beautiful old hut with lots of heritage, built back in 1949. The Perth Valley has had a lot of Predator control done by ZIP, and the bird life is really on the rise. A spectacular hut to base yourself for adventures into more difficult terrain up the Perth valley.
How do you get there and long does it take someone with moderate fitness?
Approx 6 hours or so, moderate fitness and moderate route finding required. The hut is old and has character, it’s certainly not a Hilton so expect to be a bit feral!
Our network of tracks and huts
Owen Kilgour Western South Island Operations Director– says “DOC has a fantastic network of tracks and huts on conservation land on the West Coast, and I’d encourage people to get out and explore. There are tramping opportunities for everyone, from families undertaking their first overnighters with young children, to backcountry wilderness experiences for those experienced in the outdoors. Going tramping requires warm clothes, a pack, a raincoat and a pair of sturdy footwear but you can start out with basic gear, and not spend too much money getting started. It’s a great way to see some of the most beautiful places in New Zealand.”
DOC hut network in general
DOC manages a network of over 950 huts around New Zealand providing shelter and enabling trampers and others to overnight in some of our most picturesque places including in forests, on mountainsides and by lakes, rivers and the sea.
DOC huts come in a range of standards from basic bivvies to serviced. Most are available on a first come first served basis but around 55 must be booked in advance.
Bookable huts help us manage our very popular or over-subscribed facilities. They provide certainty to families and less experienced visitors, and support the payment of hut fees so these facilities can continue into the future.
It’s important all hut users pay their hut fees, are well-prepared before heading out and assess conditions before deciding whether it’s safe to go, even if people have made a booking.
How many huts does the West Coast have?
In Western South Island Region we have 148 huts and bivvies in total with 147 open.
What is the highest (altitude)?
| Above Mean Sea Level | Hut Name |
| 2360 | Pioneer Hut – NZAC Hut, managed by DOC |
| 2350 | Centennial Hut NZAC Hut, managed by DOC |
| 1680 | Almer Hut |
What is the biggest (how many beds)?
| Number of Bunks | Hut Name |
| 32 | Heaphy Hut |
| 31 | Welcome Flat Hut |
| 28 | Mackay Hut |
What is the oldest?
| Construction Date | Hut Name |
| 1/01/1930 | Douglas Rock Hut |
| 1/01/1931 | Chancellor Hut |
| 1/04/1938 | Locke Stream Hut |
What is the newest?
| Construction Date | Hut Name |
| 1/03/2022 | Belltown Manunui Hut |
| 1/11/2020 | Mataketake Hut – Owned by Backcountry Trust |
| 1/03/2020 | Kohanga Atawhai – Manson Nicholls Hut |
What is the most remote?
| Distance | Hut Name |
| 35.1 Km | Gorge River Hut |
| 29.5 km | Neave Hut |
Who else helps maintain them?
• Permolat, Backcountry Trust, private individuals, groups and volunteers.
In addition to huts, on the West Coast DOC also manages:
• 1283km of track
• 2029 structures (eg boardwalks, bridges, jetties, culverts etc)
• 19 campsites
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