Speargrass Hut

Speargrass Hut is a 12-bunk serviced backcountry hut located on the Speargrass Hut Track in Nelson Lakes National Park, in the Nelson/Tasman region of New Zealand's South Island. It sits in a tussock clearing at 1,060 metres, with views across the surrounding mountains. The hut is part of the Department of Conservation (DOC) network of backcountry accommodation and is a stop on the Te Araroa long-distance trail. The hut offers basic but comfortable facilities: platform (shared) bunks with mattresses, cold water from a rain collection tank, a wood burner with firewood provided (subject to resupply), insulation and double-glazing, and a long-drop toilet a short walk away. Visitors must bring their own sleeping bag, cooking equipment, toilet paper, rubbish bag, firelighters and torch. The hut is a serviced hut, meaning it has a higher standard of facilities than standard or basic huts. Fees vary by season. From 1 May to 30 September, the adult rate is $25 per night and child/youth (5–17 years) $12.50; infants (0–4 years) stay free. From 1 October to 30 April, weekday rates are $28 per adult and $14 per child/youth, while weekend rates are $32 per adult and $16 per child/youth. From 1 December to 29 February, weekday rates are $29 per adult and $14.50 per child/youth, and weekend rates are $34 per adult and $17 per child/youth. Backcountry Hut Passes are valid from 1 May to 30 September but not from 1 October to 30 April; however, passes remain valid for camping within 200 metres of the hut year-round. Te Araroa Trail walkers should register and purchase the Te Araroa Trail Pass. Payment can be made via hut tickets placed in the honesty box, or by Backcountry Hut Pass or Campsite Pass. Speargrass Hut is managed by the Department of Conservation, which operates the visitor centre in St Arnaud, the gateway to Nelson Lakes National Park. The visitor centre provides information on day walks, multi-day tramping (including the Travers Sabine Circuit and Angelus Hut), hunting, and campsites, and sells hut tickets, passes, maps, and outdoor supplies. The hut is a popular overnight stop for trampers exploring the Nelson Lakes area.

Speargrass Hut is a backcountry hut in Nelson Lakes National Park, New Zealand, managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC). The hut is located on the Speargrass Hut Track and sits in a tussock clearing at 1,060 metres, offering views across the surrounding mountains. It is a 12-bunk serviced hut, meaning it provides a higher level of facilities than standard or basic huts, including mattresses on platform bunks, a wood burner with firewood, a rainwater collection tank for cold water, insulation and double-glazing, and a long-drop toilet a short walk from the hut. The hut is part of DOC's network of backcountry accommodation, which includes serviced, standard, and basic huts across New Zealand's conservation estate. DOC manages these huts to support public access to the outdoors, and fees contribute to maintenance and services. Speargrass Hut is also a stop on the Te Araroa Trail, New Zealand's long-distance tramping route that stretches from Cape Reinga in the far north to Bluff in the deep south. Te Araroa walkers are required to register and purchase a Te Araroa Trail Pass, which covers stays in most DOC huts and campsites along the trail. Payment and booking for Speargrass Hut follow DOC's standard system for backcountry huts. Some huts can be booked in advance online, while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis with payment via Backcountry Hut Pass or Hut Ticket. Speargrass Hut uses an honesty box system for hut tickets, and Backcountry Hut Passes are valid from 1 May to 30 September but not from 1 October to 30 April. However, passes remain valid for camping within 200 metres of the hut year-round. The hut's fees are tiered by season and age group, with higher rates during the summer peak (December to February) and lower rates in winter (May to September). The Nelson Lakes National Park Visitor Centre in St Arnaud serves as the gateway to the park and provides information on day walks, multi-day tramping (including the Travers Sabine Circuit and Angelus Hut), hunting, and campsites. The visitor centre also sells hut tickets, Backcountry Hut Passes, Campsite Passes, topographical maps, and outdoor supplies. Speargrass Hut is one of several huts in the Nelson Lakes area, which is known for its beech forests, alpine tussock lands, and clear lakes. The hut's location in a tussock clearing at 1,060 metres makes it a scenic stop for trampers exploring the region.

A serviced backcountry hut in Nelson Lakes National Park, offering basic but comfortable accommodation for trampers and Te Araroa Trail walkers.

• 12-bunk serviced hut

  Platform (shared) bunks with mattresses, sleeping 12 people.

• Wood burner heating

  Wood burner with firewood provided, though resupply may be delayed by weather.

• Rainwater tank water supply

  Cold water from a rain collection tank.

• Long-drop toilet

  A long-drop toilet a short walk from the hut.

1. 1Speargrass Hut: Nelson Lakes National Park, Nelson/Tasman regiondoc.govt.nz
2. 2Nelson Lakes National Park Visitor Centredoc.govt.nz
3. 3Booking and paying: Stay in a hutdoc.govt.nz
4. 4Campsite Pass: Stay at a campsitedoc.govt.nz
5. 5Speargrass Hut - Wikidatawikidata.org