Lower Goulter Hut

Standard hutMount Richmond Forest Park, MarlboroughOpen

Sleeps: 8 bunks
Booking: Not bookable
Cost: from $15
Heating: Yes
Drinking water: Not drinkable
Toilet: Non-flush

Plan your access This place on doc.govt.nz

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

4.9 km north of Renwick, just over the Wairau River bridge, turn off SH6 onto Northbank Road, which becomes Goutler Road. From SH6, travel for 56 km to reach the end of Goulter Road and for 63 km to reach the 4WD road end.

Mid Goulter Hut: 3 hr (6.8 km)

The Goulter Valley widens below Mid Goulter Hut into extensive river flats; few areas such as this exist within the park. If the river is high take the all weather track, following the true left bank and crossing a number of side streams before finally climbing over a bluff and dropping to the hut. If the river is low, you may follow the riverbed.

Topo map: Topo50 sheet BR26
Grid reference: E1614705, N5393110

Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.

Map and tracks

Loading map

Track lines: DOC Te Papa Atawhai. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 41.61261° S, 173.17602° E

Lower Goulter Hut, hut in Marlborough — Photo and data: Crown Copyright, Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai.

About this place

This is a standard 8-bunk hut in the South Marlborough area.

On the way here

Alpine Route

Tarn Hut to Goulter road end

Time: 5-6 hr

At the sign-posted junction shortly before Bushy Top (see above), the left-hand branch leads to the Goulter road end. The track climbs over Bushy Top (1257 m) before descending down a prominent spur to the Goulter River opposite the Lower Goulter Hut. The river is not bridged and no attempts should be made to cross it while in flood. From the hut, the track carries on for 45 minutes to a 4WD road end. It is a further two hours to Tiphead Stream, which is generally accessible to two-wheel drive vehicles. Check the status of this road if you plan to use this exit. As of July 2023, the road was shut from Patriarch Station due to multiple washouts. It is approximately 14 km from the Goulter car park back to the gate at Patriarch station. Walkers should allow an extra one to two hours if starting the trip from the Goulter.

The whole walk

Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.

Know before you go

Flood risk

This hut has a history of flood inundation during extreme weather events. It is recommended that visitors avoid staying at Lower Goulter Hut if storm or extreme weather is forecast for the area.

Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.

Fees and bookings

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. Retailers that sell hut tickets and passes

Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.

On these tracks

Alpine RouteAdvanced

Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.

Nearby stops