Brown Hut
Great Walk hutKahurangi National Park, TasmanOpen
Current advisories
Landslip on Heaphy Track
16 September 2026
There is a slip on Heaphy Track close to Crayfish Point, between Kōhaihai and Heaphy Hut. The slip is impassable. A diversion is in place, but should only be attempted within 4 hours either side of low tide. From 28 September to 7 October, maintenance work will be taking place on the track, including the diversion. For safety reasons, access to the diversion may be temporarily stopped and delays of up to 1 hour are possible. To allow enough time to cross the diversion, do not arrive at the slip site more than 3 hours after low tide. Check the Tide Tables - for exact timings deduct 30 minutes from the time for Westport tides. It is dangerous to cross outside of these times and watch for rogue waves. Keep children close at all times while crossing this area. First published on 8 September 2026. Last reviewed on 17 September 2026.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai alerts.
- Sleeps
- 16 bunks
- Booking
- Can book
- Heating
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Boil first
- Toilet
- Yes
Getting there
We have not checked a road end or car park for this place yet, so we do not give driving directions to it. Check how to get there before you go. Some routes cross private land and need the landowner's permission.
How to get there, on doc.govt.nzBrown Hut is at the end of Aorere Valley Rd.
- Topo map
- Topo50 sheet BP23
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Map and tracks
Track lines: DOC Te Papa Atawhai. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 40.85039° S, 172.44716° E
About this place
This is a 16-bunk hut located on the Heaphy Track in the Golden Bay area.
On the way here
Heaphy Track · 4-6 days
Brown Hut to Perry Saddle Hut
Time: 5 hr walking, 2 hr 30 min–3 hr 30 min mountain biking
17.5 km About 180 m upstream from the hut, cross the bridge over the Brown River, then a grass flat, before winding up a well-defined track and into the bush. The track climbs gradually, following a route once surveyed for a road. After 4 hours, you'll reach Aorere Shelter. From here, the Aorere Valley is seen extending northwards and on clear days it is possible to see Mt Taranaki/Egmont. Thirty minutes before Perry Saddle Hut, a short track leads to a viewpoint at Flanagans Corner. At 915 m, this is the highest point on the track. Perry Saddle Hut is 880 m above sea level. Near the hut in Gorge Creek is a deep but cold pool, popular for swimming. Mountain biking: The ride starts with a consistently graded steady climb, passing Aorere Shelter and winding up to 890 m through beech forest to Perry Saddle Hut. Take extra care between the turnoff to Shakespeare Flat and the lookout at Flanagans Corner especially when descending. There are a number of steep drops beside the track.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Fees and bookings
Backcountry Hut Passes and Backcountry Hut Tickets cannot be used at this hut.
Book Heaphy Track huts/campsites online
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Aorere Shelter campsite
Great Walk • Tasman • 5 km
Aorere Shelter is a walk-in campsite on the Heaphy Track in the Tasman region. On fine days following rain, Mt Taranaki can be seen in the distance.
Non-powered/tent sites • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use • Toilets - non-flush
Perry Saddle Hut
Great Walk • 28 bunks • Tasman • 6.7 km
Perry Saddle Hut is a 28-bunk hut located on the Heaphy Track in the Golden Bay area of the Tasman region.
Cooking • Heating • Mattresses
Perry Saddle campsite
Great Walk • Tasman • 6.8 km
Perry Saddle campsite is a walk-in campsite located on the Heaphy Track in the Tasman region. Situated in the fold of the saddle with high hills on either…
Non-powered/tent sites • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use • Toilets - non-flush
Gouland Downs Hut
Great Walk • 8 bunks • Tasman • 9.1 km
Gouland Downs Hut is an eight-bunk hut situated on the Heaphy Track in the Golden Bay area of the Tasman region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Gouland Downs campsite
Great Walk • Tasman • 9.1 km
Gouland Downs is a walk-in campsite on the Heaphy Track in the Tasman region. The site is set against beech forest on a limestone outcrop, with numerous caves…
Non-powered/tent sites • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use • Toilets - non-flush
Walks nearby
Contact
Nelson/Tasman/Marlborough information
Regional DOC service centre.
Notes from people who have been
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Sources
- DOC Huts · CC BY 4.0Data sourced from the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand.
- OpenStreetMap Huts · ODbL (Open Database License)Contains information from OpenStreetMap, made available under the ODbL.
- DOC Huts (API) · CC BY 4.0Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Data sourced from the DOC Developer Portal (api.doc.govt.nz).