Waiau Hut
St James Conservation Area • Canterbury
Alerts
Avalanche NZ
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NIWA weather risks
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Forecast point: Waiau Pass (1870m) · 8.9km away
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 standard 6-bunk hut in the St James Conservation Area.
- Facilities
- Heating
- Mattresses
- Toilets - non-flush
- Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
- Water supply
About this hut
Waiau Hut is in a sheltered clearing on the Waiau River.
It was designed to accommodate extra demand from trampers on the Te Araroa Trail and was made possible by the support of a generous benefactor.
Fees and bookings
Fees
- Adult (18+ years): $15 per night
- Youth (5–17 years): $7.50 per night
- Child/Infant (0–4 years): free
Before you go, buy Hut Tickets for each night's stay. Put these in the honesty box at the hut. Or buy a Backcountry Hut Pass that gives unlimited use at most Standard and Serviced huts for a 12 month period.
Booking and paying | Backcountry Hut Tickets | Retailers that sell hut tickets and passes
Te Araroa – The Trail Pass
Te Araroa Trail walkers should register and purchase the Te Araroa Trail Pass.
Getting there
The hut is on Waiau Pass Track, which connects Nelson Lakes National Park and St James Conservation Area.
Nearest hut and access point
- Blue Lake Hut: 10 to 12 hrs via Lewis Pass – Waiau Pass – Blue Lake Route
- Waiau River: 2 hrs. Waiua River can be accessed via the Maling Pass 4WD track.
Find out about motorised vehicle access.
Tracks to this hut
Location
NZTopo50 map sheet: BT24
Grid/NZTM 2000 coordinates: E1572023, N5330158
Know before you go
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.
Nearby
Weather
Forecast at the hut