Lake Alabaster Hut
Serviced hutFiordland National Park, SouthlandOpen
Current advisories
Storm damaged bridges on Hollyford Track
30 September 2026
Storm damage has affected bridges between Hidden Falls hut and Lake Alabaster Hut: Little Rainbow Bridge is not safe for use and is closed. It is located 10 minutes upstream of Rainbow Creek. Access across Little Rainbow stream now requires a river crossing. Chair Creek Bridge has been removed. It was located approximately 1 km from Alabaster Hut. Access across Chair Creek now requires a river crossing. Trampers are advised to plan accordingly and be prepared to turn back if conditions are unsuitable. River crossing safety skills and experience are required. The crossings should not be attempted in high-flow or when in flood. First published on 15 September 2026. Last reviewed on 1 October 2026.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai alerts.
- Sleeps
- 26 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 CA09
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. 44.54592° S, 168.14411° E
About this place
This is a serviced 26-bunk hut on the Hollyford Track in Fiordland National Park.
On the way here
Hollyford Track · 4–5 days
Hidden Falls Hut to Lake Alabaster Hut
Time: 3–4 hr
Distance:10.5 km The track passes through a section of lowland ribbonwood/podocarp forest draped with colourful mosses and ferns. It then enters tall beech forest before climbing to Little Homer Saddle, with views of Mount Madeline and Fiordland’s highest mountain, Mount Tūtoko (2723 m). From here, the track descends to Little Homer Falls (60 m) and continues to the confluence of the Hollyford and Pyke rivers. Beyond this is Pyke River Lodge (managed by Hollyford Track Guided Walks) and 15 min further on is Lake Alabaster Hut.
Lake Alabaster Hut to Demon Trail Hut
Time: 3–4 hr
10.5 km This section of the track is maintained to a much lower standard than the Lower Hollyford Road end to Lake Alabaster section. Use the orange markers on the trees to guide you. It can be muddy, rocky and wet underfoot. Tree falls may obscure the track. Unbridged streams or rives may become impassable during and after heavy rain. Backtrack from the Alabaster Hut for 15 minutes and cross the Pyke River swing bridge. After two hours of relatively level track, the track meets the Hollyford River/Whakatipu Kā Tuka again. There are some long sections of mud. Follow the eastern side of Lake McKerrow/Whakatipu Waitai for about 1.5 hr to reach Demon Trail 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 · 1 to 2 nights
Hidden Falls Hut
Walking in
4 hr
Walking out
4 hr to Hidden Falls Hut
Walking in
4 hr
Walking out
15 hr to Martins Bay Hut (via Demon Trail Hut, Hokuri 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
Camping
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
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.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
McKerrow Island Hut
Standard • 12 bunks • Southland • 7.1 km
McKerrow Island Hut is a standard 12-bunk hut located in northern Fiordland.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Demon Trail Hut
Serviced • 12 bunks • Southland • 8.1 km
Demon Trail Hut is a serviced 12-bunk hut located in northern Fiordland.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Hidden Falls Hut
Serviced • 12 bunks • Southland • 9 km
Hidden Falls Hut is a serviced 12-bunk hut located in northern Fiordland.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Hokuri Hut
Serviced • 12 bunks • Southland • 15.5 km
Hokuri Hut is a serviced 12-bunk hut located in northern Fiordland.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Martins Bay Hut
Serviced • 24 bunks • Southland • 26 km
Martins Bay Hut is a serviced 24-bunk hut located in northern Fiordland.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Walks nearby
Contact
Te Rua-o-te-moko/Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre
1 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau 9600
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?
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A person reads every request. We do not remove a place until we have checked it.
Sources
- 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).
- DOC Huts · CC BY 4.0Data sourced from the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand.