New Zealand Huts And Camping

New Zealand’s tracks are home to a well-developed backcountry hut system with nearly 1000 huts. The DOC builds huts for three reasons: to increase safety for trampers, to reduce the environmental damage caused by camping and hiking off-trail, and to provide an opportunity to meet fellow trampers. There are four categories of huts. Great Walks huts ($10-40 depending on the season; Great Walks Hut Ticket required) include mattresses, water, toilets, and heating with fuel available. Cooking facilities are sometimes available. Basic huts or bivvies (free; no ticket or pass required) are shelters with extremely limited facilities. Serviced huts ($10) and Standard huts ($5) have intermediate facilities and both require Backcountry Huts or Backcountry passes. Purchase hut tickets ($5) online or at any DOC office. Purchasing hut tickets while on the trail from park rangers may mean incurring a heavy penalty. Great Walks Hut Tickets must be purchased online or at the DOC office managing the track. Frequent trampers can buy a Backcountry Annual Hut Pass for $90. Children under 11 stay for free and ages 12-17 are half-price.

Penny Saved. While DOC offices and i-Sites will often book huts and sell hut tickets to would be trampers, save time and $1-3 by booking online at www.doc.govt.nz.

Those who prefer carrying their own accommodations can backcountry camp for free in designated areas along almost all tracks. There is usually a small charge for camping near huts; camping at a distance from the track is often difficult because of dense foliage. Camping is not allowed outside designated sites on Great Walks. As with huts, there are categories of official DOC campsites: serviced, standard, and informal. Serviced grounds include flush toilets, tap water, showers, and usually electricity. Standard grounds have toilets, a water supply, and some type of vehicle access, while informal grounds have limited facilities—sometimes only a water supply. Prices depend on the facilities offered and range $3-12. Informal grounds are free of charge. Fees are collected by camp wardens or the local agent. For more information, go to www.nzcamping.co.nz.