McKellar Hut
Serviced hutGreenstone and Caples Conservation Areas, OtagoOpen
- Sleeps
- 24 bunks
- Booking
- Can book
- Cost
- from $25
- Heating
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Boil first
- Toilet
- Yes
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 CB09
- Grid reference
- E1216513, N5019822
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. 44.87176° S, 168.14542° E
About this place
This is a serviced 24-bunk hut in the Queenstown/Wakatipu area.
On the way here
Greenstone and Caples tracks · 4 days
Mid Caples Hut to McKellar Hut
Time: 6–7 hr, 22 km
Travel up the valley through bush and grassy clearings is easy—beware however of side streams on this section after heavy rain. About two hours from Mid Caples Hut, after entering the beech forest, the recently upgraded track passes junctions with Steele Creek and Fraser/Kay Tracks before sidling steadily up towards the bush edge. The track across McKellar Saddle (945 m) gives great views and has been boardwalked to protect the fragile subalpine vegetation. West of the saddle, the track again enters the bush and zigzags downwards for one hour to the open valley floor where a track junction is reached upstream from Lake McKellar. The 24-bunk McKellar Hut lies to the left and Routeburn Track junction/Lake Howden outlet to the right. Both are about one hour from the junction. Note: Upper Caples Hut is managed by the NZ Deerstalkers' Association. Book the hut .
McKellar Hut to Greenstone Hut
Time: 4 hr 30 min - 6 hr 30 min, 18 km
Cross the bridge in front of the hut and follow the track down river on the true left. It is a relatively easy valley walk alternating between tussock flats and bush, until the track reaches a gorge through an old land slide. Steele Creek is crossed by a swingbridge and the track veers to the right passing close to a private hut (Steele Creek Lodge) and the local Deerstalker's association Mid Greenstone Hut . The Greenstone Hut is approximately 1-2 hours away from this location. The track then meanders down the valley past a large white terrace bank, still keeping on the true left of the river all the way down a wide open valley before entering the bush again. A junction in the track is reached shortly after this. A right turn leads across a bridge over a gorge to the Greenstone Hut (20 bunks) and the Mavora Walkway.
Side trips
Time: 2–3 days
From McKellar Hut the track skirts to the left of Lake McKellar. It then goes through forest to the Routeburn Track junction/Lake Howden outlet. This route is suitable for experienced trampers only. From Greenstone Hut it is a 2-3 day walk along the Mavora-Greenstone Walkway to Mavora Lakes. The track is part of Te Araroa/The Long Pathway, and passes through open tussock country and beech forest. The terrain is gentle, and the highest point on the walk, Pass Burn, is only 200m above the level of Lake Wakatipu. There are two other huts on the walk.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
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 for this hut from 1 May to 30 September. Passes won't be accepted from 1 October to 30 April.
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 McKellar Hut online .
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Greenstone Saddle Campsite
Backcountry • Southland • 4.9 km
Greenstone Saddle Campsite is a campsite located on the track between the Lake Howden outlet and the Greenstone and Caples tracks.
Toilets - non-flush • Toilets
Mid Caples Campsite
Backcountry • Otago • 10.3 km
Mid Caples Campsite is a backcountry campsite located outside Mid Caples Hut in Otago.
Toilets - flush • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use • Toilets
Mid Caples Hut
Serviced • 24 bunks • Otago • 10.3 km
Mid Caples Hut is a serviced 24-bunk hut located in the Queenstown/Wakatipu area of Otago. It provides basic accommodation for hikers in the region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - flush
Slip Flat Hut
Basic/bivvies • 3 bunks • Otago • 13.8 km
Slip Flat Hut is a basic three-bunk hut located in the Queenstown/Wakatipu area of Otago.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Greenstone Campsite
Backcountry • Otago • 15.1 km
Greenstone Campsite is a backcountry campsite located outside Greenstone Hut in Otago.
Toilets - flush • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use • Toilets
Walks nearby
Lake Gunn Nature Walk
Easiest • 45 min loop • 1.4 km • 5.51 km away
Steele Creek Track
Advanced • 15 km • 6.22 km away
Routeburn Track: Key Summit Track
Intermediate • 3 hr • 3.4 km one way, • 6.47 km away
Routeburn Track: Lake Howden Track
Intermediate • 3 hr • 3.4 km • 6.65 km away
Falls Creek Route
Expert • 4 hr to bush edge, 6 - 8 hr to rock bivvy • 21 km • 7.31 km away
Contact
Whakatipu-wai-Māori/Queenstown Visitor Centre
Regional DOC service centre.
Notes from people who have been
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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.