Speargrass 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 12-bunk serviced hut on the Speargrass Hut Track.
Facilities: Heating
Mattresses
Toilets - non-flush
Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
Water supply

About this hut

Speargrass Hut sits in a tussock clearing at 1060 m, with views across the surrounding mountains.

Facilities

Bunks – platform (shared) bunks with mattresses
Water supply – cold water from a rain collection tank
Heating – wood burner with firewood provided (although there may be periods without firewood if weather conditions prevent resupply)
Insulated and double-glazed
Long drop toilet a short walk from the hut

Huts have basic facilities. You'll need to take:

Sleeping bag
Cooking stove, pots/pans and utensils
Toilet paper
Rubbish bag
Newspaper/firelighters and matches/lighter for the wood burner/fire
Torch

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 Speargrass Hut online

Getting there

Times from nearest road end and huts

Mt Robert Road end (Speargrass Track): 3 hr
Angelus Hut: 3 hr
Sabine Hut: 5 hr

Tracks to this hut

Location

NZTopo50 map sheet: BS24
Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates: E1579414, N5366623

Know before you go

The gate at the bottom of Mount Robert Road is locked when the road is icy.

Nelson Lakes - thefts from vehicles

Isolated carparks are prone to theft. Don't leave any valuables in your vehicle. A bag storage facility is available at the Rotoiti/Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre.

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