Makarora Hut
Standard hutMakarora area, OtagoOpen
Current advisories
Predator control for Mt Aspiring National Park
01 June 2026
A predator control operation using toxic bait containing 1080 was completed on 2 March 2026. The operation area includes Mt Aspiring National Park. It is open to the public with warning signs in place at key entrances. There may be toxic carcasses and bait (green coloured pellets) in the area. Do not touch the bait or animal carcasses. Water supply at the huts will be unaffected as tanks will be disconnected from the guttering, but as usual we recommend treating water before drinking. This operation is part of DOC's National Predator Control Programme to protect native species. First published on 16 September 2025. Last reviewed on 2 June 2026.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai alerts.
- Sleeps
- 4 bunks
- Booking
- Not bookable
- Cost
- from $15
- Heating
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Not drinkable
- 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 BZ13
- Grid reference
- E1315207, N5107841
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. 44.12931° S, 169.44044° E
About this place
This is a standard four-bunk hut in the Wanaka/Makarora area.
On the way here
Makarora Track · 7 hr one way
Continue through small open flats, forest and slips to the main valley flat. From here the track is unmarked to the four-bunk Makarora Hut, about 50 minutes away. The easiest route through the unmarked section may involve crossing the river several times, provided it is low and therefore safe to do so.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Know before you go
No visitor centre in Makarora
Contact the Awarua/Haast or Tititea/Mount Aspiring National Park visitor centres instead.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
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
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
On these tracks
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Brewster Hut
Serviced Alpine • 12 bunks • West Coast • 5.1 km
Brewster Hut is a serviced alpine 12 bunk hut located in the South Westland area. You need to book online before you go to stay at this hut over the summer…
Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
Scrubby Hut
Otago • 8 km
Bull Flat Hut
Basic/bivvies • 2 bunks • Otago • 8.4 km
Bull Flat Hut is a basic two-bunk hut located in the Wanaka and Makarora area of Otago.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Ferguson Hut
Standard • 4 bunks • Otago • 8.9 km
Ferguson Hut is a standard four-bunk hut located in the Wanaka/Makarora area of Otago.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Wills Hut
Standard • 4 bunks • West Coast • 10.1 km
Wills Hut is a standard four-bunk hut located in the South Westland area of the West Coast region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Walks nearby
Brewster Track
Advanced • 6 – 8 hr return • 5 km • 6.01 km away
Fantail Falls Walk
Easiest • 5 min return • 200 m • 7.23 km away
Haast Pass Lookout Track
Easy • 1 hr return • 1.5 km • 7.4 km away
Bridle Track
Easy • 1 hr 30 min one way • 3.5 km • 7.72 km away
Wills Valley Track
Advanced • 5 - 6 hr • 7.5 km • 10.49 km away
Contact
Wānaka Tititea/Mount Aspiring National Park
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 (API) · CC BY 4.0Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Data sourced from the DOC Developer Portal (api.doc.govt.nz).
- OpenStreetMap Huts · ODbL (Open Database License)Contains information from OpenStreetMap, made available under the ODbL.
- DOC Huts · CC BY 4.0Data sourced from the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand.