Hunters Hut
Standard hutMount Richmond Forest Park, TasmanOpen
Current advisories
Wilding conifer control operation for Motueka Gorge and Red Hills
24 July 2026
There will be a helicopter spot-spraying herbicide onto wilding conifers on the hills surrounding the Motueka Gorge and Hunter's Hut over several fine weather days, from 4 August to 25 October 2026. The herbicide ingredients are triclopyr and biodiesel. The target wilding conifer species are individual plants of Douglas fir and contorta pine. See the operation maps (PDF, 320K) for the locations of the spraying (shaded blue), and do not enter these areas off-track while a helicopter is operating. Signage will be in place at main entry points. The work is set-back from tracks and it is safe to use marked tracks while a helicopter is working. For more information contact Marty Kelliher: Email marty.kelliher@pfolsen.com or phone 0275480725. First published on 25 July 2026.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai alerts.
- Sleeps
- 8 bunks
- Booking
- Can book
- Cost
- from $15
- 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 BR25
- Grid reference
- E1600210, N5394711
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. 41.59956° S, 173.00293° E
About this place
This is a standard 8-bunk hut in the Motueka area.
On the way here
Richmond Ranges Te Araroa route · 8 days
Top Wairoa Hut to Hunters Hut
Time: 5 hr
km The track leaves Top Wairoa Hut and climbs through alpine vegetation up to Mt Ellis (1615 m). It’s a great place to stop for lunch, with 360-degree views overlooking Tasman Bay and the Red Hills. The track then descends to the left branch of the Motueka River. It follows the river, then crosses it (unbridged) and climbs to Hunters Hut. Crossing the Motueka River should not be attempted during periods of heavy rain as the river can rise quickly. If you are not confident that you can cross safely, wait in one of the huts or in your tent/emergency shelter until river levels drop. Hunters Hut
Hunters Hut to Porters Creek Hut
Time: 4 hr
km The track leaves Hunters Hut and sidles in and out of several gullies, following the edge of the Red Hills ultramafic area before reaching Porters Creek Hut. Porters Creek Hut
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.
2 options · 6 to 7 nights
Roadend
Walking in
45 hr (via Captains Creek Hut, Middy Creek Hut, Rocks Hut, Browning Hut, Hacket Hut, Starveall Hut, Slaty Hut, Old Man Hut, Mt Rintoul Hut, Tarn Hut, Mid Wairoa Hut)
Walking out
13 hr 30 min to Tophouse Road (via Porters Creek Hut, Red Hills Hut)
Walking in
45 hr (via Captains Creek Hut, Middy Creek Hut, Rocks Hut, Browning Hut, Hacket Hut, Starveall Hut, Slaty Hut, Old Man Hut, Mt Rintoul Hut, Tarn Hut, Mid Wairoa Hut)
Walking out
45 hr to Roadend (via Captains Creek Hut, Middy Creek Hut, Rocks Hut, Browning Hut, Hacket Hut, Starveall Hut, Slaty Hut, Old Man Hut, Mt Rintoul Hut, Tarn Hut, Mid Wairoa Hut)
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai track descriptions.
Fees and bookings
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. Retailers that sell hut tickets and passes Te Araroa – The Trail Pass Te Araroa Trail Pass
Book Hunters Hut online
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Porters Creek Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • Tasman • 6 km
Porters Creek Hut is a standard six-bunk hut located in the Motueka area of the Tasman region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Top Wairoa Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • Tasman • 6.1 km
Top Wairoa Hut is a standard six-bunk hut located in the Motueka area of the Tasman region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Mid Wairoa Hut
Standard • 8 bunks • Tasman • 10.4 km
Mid Wairoa Hut is a standard 8-bunk hut located in the Motueka area of the Tasman region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Red Hills Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • Marlborough • 14.7 km
Red Hills Hut is a standard 6-bunk hut located in the Nelson Lakes area.
Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
Tarn Hut
Standard • 5 bunks • Marlborough • 14.7 km
Tarn Hut is a standard five-bunk hut located in the South Marlborough area.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Walks nearby
Contact
Nelson/Tasman/Marlborough information
Regional DOC service centre.
Notes from people who have been
No notes yet. If you have been, say what you found.
Something missing or out of date?
Closed, moved, wrong facts, or something we have missed? Travellers keep the Road Guide up to date. Tell us what you found at contribute@parkup.nz and we will check it and add it.
Ask us to take this down
A person reads every request. We do not remove a place until we have checked it.
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).