Christopher Hut
Serviced hutSt James Conservation Area, CanterburyOpen
- Sleeps
- 14 bunks
- Booking
- Can book
- Cost
- from $10
- Heating
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Boil first
- Toilet
- Non-flush
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.nz- Topo map
- Topo50 sheet BT23
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. 42.28855° S, 172.56508° E
About this place
This is a serviced 14-bunk hut in the St James Conservation Area.
On the way here
St James Walkway · 5 days
Ada Pass Hut - Christopher Hut
Time: 4 hr 30 min
10.5 km From the hut, the track leads through bush over Ada Pass into the Ada valley. Beech forest gradually gives way to open areas of tussock with tongues of mountain beech. Orange triangles at the clearing edge indicate the start of the track through bush areas, following the true right bank of the Ada River. At the confluence of the Ada and Christopher rivers, the track passes the historic Christopher (Ada) Cullers Hut. The Christopher Hut is 10 - 15 minutes walk from this point, close to the edge of the bush, about 350 metres from the Ada River.
Christopher Hut - Anne Hut
Time: 4 hr, 30 min
km From Christopher Hut the route goes down the valley along the true right bank of the Ada River to where the open flats converge with the river and toe of the hill, about 1.5 km above the Ada homestead. The track eventually joins a vehicle track for some distance to the Henry / Waiau valley confluence. From here it passes through matagouri thickets and some open rolling and swampy ground and rejoins the vehicle track (up till now the track is on the true left bank of the Henry River). After crossing a suspension bridge over the Henry River the track follows close to the true right bank, rejoining the vehicle track through to the Anne Hut. There is no longer a radio at Anne Hut.
Waiau Pass Route (Blue Lake Route to Lewis Pass) · 8-10 days for full trip
Waiau Hut to Christopher Hut
Time: 6 hr 30 min
km From Waiau Hut, continue following the Waiau Uwha River downstream on the true right bank. The valley gradually widens and you cross two old, bush-covered terminal moraines. The route continues down the valley, mainly over broad, grassy river flats, until you reach the junction of Waiau Uwha River and Ada River. At the point where the two valleys meet, you will come to a track junction. Take the right-hand track across to Ada Valley, rather than continuing down the Waiau Valley. Follow this track across the river flats and upstream on the true left of the Ada River. Cross the Ada River at the point opposite Christopher Hut. The hut is situated close to the edge of the bush. Alternate Route from the junction on Waiau and Ada Rivers: Rather than taking the route to Lewis Pass, you can instead follow the St James Walkway south, walking through to Boyle Village. Follow the track downstream from the turnoff to the Ada Valley, crossing various side streams then the Ada River. Cross Ada Flat then Delta Stream, then the track will join the St James Walkway. Visit the St James Walkway page for a description from this point.
Christopher Hut to Ada Pass Hut
Time: 4 hr 30 min
10.5 km This section of the track is on St James Station. From Christopher Hut, follow the track upstream on the true right of the Ada River. Around 10-15 minutes from Christopher Hut, you will pass the historic Christopher (Ada) Cullers Hut. Continue following the track upstream, though open areas of tussock with patches of mountain beech. Orange triangles at the clearing edge indicate the track through bush areas. The track then enters the bush and crosses Ada Pass. Shortly after the pass you will reach Ada Pass Hut.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Know before you go
Weather forecast
Christopher Hut weather forecast – NIWA website
Firewood
Firewood is supplied at this hut, but it can run out. If there is no firewood, gather dead wood from surrounding forests. Do not fell or break branches off live trees. Only use as much wood as is needed to keep the hut warm, to ensure there is enough for the next visitors. Carry warm clothing and a good sleeping bag at all times of year.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Trip options
Walking times come from DOC track descriptions, added up leg by leg from car-accessible trailheads. Nights and return times are ParkUp estimates, allowing about 8 hours of walking a day.
8 options · 2 to 5 nights
Cannibal Gorge Hut
Tracks used: St James Walkway → Waiau Pass Route (Blue Lake Route to Lewis Pass)
Walking in
6 hr (via Ada Pass Hut)
Walking out
9 hr 30 min to the Lewis Pass picnic area (via Cannibal Gorge Hut, Ada Pass Hut)
the Lewis Pass picnic area
Tracks used: St James Walkway → Waiau Pass Route (Blue Lake Route to Lewis Pass)
Walking in
9 hr 30 min (via Cannibal Gorge Hut, Ada Pass Hut)
Walking out
6 hr to Cannibal Gorge Hut (via Ada Pass Hut)
Walking in
9 hr 30 min (via Cannibal Gorge Hut, Ada Pass Hut)
Walking out
9 hr 30 min to the Lewis Pass picnic area (via Cannibal Gorge Hut, Ada Pass Hut)
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai track descriptions.
Fees and bookings
1 May - 30 September
1 October - 30 April
Weekdays
Weekends
1 December - 29 February
Weekdays
Weekends
Backcountry Hut Passes can be used at this hut. About hut tickets and passes Retailers that sell hut tickets and passes Te Araroa – The Trail Pass Te Araroa Trail Pass 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
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 Christopher Hut online
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
On these tracks
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Ada Pass Hut
Serviced • 14 bunks • West Coast • 9 km
Ada Pass Hut is a serviced 14-bunk hut located in the Greymouth area on the West Coast.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Cannibal Gorge Hut
Serviced • 20 bunks • West Coast • 11.9 km
Cannibal Gorge Hut is a serviced 20-bunk hut located in the Greymouth area of the West Coast.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Christopher (Ada) Cullers Hut
Basic/bivvies • 4 bunks • Canterbury • 0.8 km
Christopher (Ada) Cullers Hut is a basic four-bunk hut located in the St James Conservation Area in Canterbury.
Toilets - non-flush • Water from stream • Water supply
Anne Hut
Serviced • 20 bunks • Canterbury • 7.6 km
Anne Hut is a serviced 20-bunk hut located in the St James Conservation Area in Canterbury.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Waiau Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • Canterbury • 14.4 km
Waiau Hut is a standard six-bunk hut located in the St James Conservation Area in Canterbury.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Walks nearby
Contact
Arthur's Pass National Park Visitor Centre
104 West Coast Road, Arthur's Pass 7654
Regional DOC service centre.
Notes from people who have been
No notes yet. If you have been, say what you found.
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Sources
- 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).
- 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.