Sabine Hut

Notice

Check the DOC website for current alerts and conditions before you go. This site gets current alert info from DOC, but is not an official source of information.

About: This is a serviced 32-bunk hut in the Nelson Lakes area.
Facilities: Heating
Mattresses
Toilets - non-flush
Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
Water supply

Fees and bookings

Fees

1 May - 30 September

Adult (18+ years): $25 per night
Child/youth (5–17 years): $12.50 per night
Infant (0–4 years): free

1 October - 30 April

Weekdays:

Adult (18+ years): $28 per night
Child/youth (5–17 years): $14 per night
Infant (0–4 years): free

Weekends:

Adult (18+ years): $32 per night
Child/youth (5–17 years): $16 per night
Infant (0–4 years): free

1 December - 29 February

Weekdays:

Adult (18+ years): $29 per night
Child/youth (5–17 years): $14.50 per night
Infant (0–4 years): free

Weekends:

Adult (18+ years): $34 per night
Child/youth (5–17 years): $17 per night
Infant (0–4 years): free

Backcountry Hut Passes

Passes are valid for use in this hut from 1 May to 30 September. Passes won't be accepted from 1 October to 30 April. However it is valid to use for camping within 200 metres of the huts all year round.

Te Araroa – The Trail Pass

Te Araroa Trail walkers should register and purchase the Te Araroa Trail Pass.

Fees to camp at the hut

Before you go, buy Hut Tickets for each night's stay. Put this in the honesty box at the hut. Or buy a Backcountry Hut Pass or Campsite Pass.

About hut tickets and passes | About campsite passes | Retailers that sell hut tickets and passes

Campers may use hut water supply and toilets only.

Bookings

Bookings are open for stays up to 30 June 2027.

If no availability shows online for your dates, the hut is fully booked.
No spaces are kept for visitors arriving without a booking.
Phone and in‑person bookings made at a visitor centre incur a $10 service fee.
Same‑day bookings are available online until 8 pm if spaces remain.

Book Sabine Hut online

Getting there

Tracks to this hut

Travers-Sabine Circuit

Location

NZTopo50 map sheet: BS24
Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates: E1573516, N5361212

Altitude: 480 m above sea level

Know before you go

On the track between the Sabine and D'Urville huts a bridge (GR E1571366 N5359831) has been removed. Trampers will have to cross a stream which is approximately 1 m deep at normal flow. After rain the stream may not be safe to cross.

Rotoroa Route closed

The Rotoroa Route alongside the eastern side of Lake Rotoroa between Rotoroa village and Sabine Hut is permanently closed. This closure will not affect trampers on the Travers-Sabine Circuit unless they were planning to end their trip at Rotoroa village.

Stay safe when crossing rivers and streams

If you plan to cross unbridged rivers or side streams, know how to cross safely and be prepared for if you cannot cross.

Do not cross if the river or stream is flooded, you cannot find safe entry and exit points or are unsure it’s safe. Turn back or wait for the river to drop. If in doubt, stay out.

How to cross rivers safely

NIWA river flow forecasts: View a video of national followed by regional river flows

Keep alpine lakes and tarns free of lindavia (lake snow)

The invasive alga lindavia is present in Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa. It causes lake snow – a sticky mucus that hangs below the surface of the water.

Make sure all your gear is completely dry for 48 hours before swimming or taking water from any alpine lake or tarn, including Rotomaninitua/Lake Angelus.

Use a biosecurity cleaning station at Coldwater Hut, Lakehead Hut and Sabine Hut to disinfect any boots, socks, clothing, towels or drink bottles that are wet or damp from lake or river water.

Do not touch the water in Rotomairewhenua/Blue Lake and Rotopōhueroa/Lake Constance.

Be extra careful if you’ve recently swum or filled a drink bottle from Lakes Rotoiti or Rotoroa.

More ways to stop the spread