Urquhart's Hut
Basic/bivvies hutCraigieburn Forest Park, CanterburyOpen
Current advisories
Predator control for Wilberforce Mathias
01 October 2026
We plan to distribute non-toxic cereal bait pellets by helicopter on 4 October 2026 depending on the weather. The Rangitata-Rakaia headwaters conservation Area, Central southern Alps/Ka Tiritiri o to Moana Wilberforce Conservation Area, Rakaia Forest Conservation Area and Craigeburn Forest Park will remain open. You are advised not to walk the Three Passes Route on the day/s of the operation. For more information see the Operation factsheet (PDF, 1,200K). See the Pesticide Summary Map for the operation area. DOC will distribute toxic bait containing 1080 within a month of applying the non-toxic bait. This operation is part of DOC's National Predator Control Programme to protect native species. First published on 1 September 2026. Last reviewed on 2 October 2026.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai alerts.
- Sleeps
- 6 bunks
- Booking
- Not bookable
- 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.nzAccess into Wilberforce River is via the Wilberforce Canal Road. Permission is required from Glenthorne Station if not using the riverbed.
- Topo map
- Topo50 sheet BV19
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Map
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 43.03408° S, 171.31705° E

About this place
This is a basic six-bunk hut in the North Canterbury and Arthur's Pass area. A physical remnant of depression mining, Urquharts Hut is historically significant.
Know before you go
Stay safe when crossing rivers and streams
If you plan to cross unbridged rivers or side streams, know how to cross safely and be prepared for if you cannot cross. Do not cross if the river or stream is flooded, you cannot find safe entry and exit points or are unsure it’s safe. Turn back or wait for the river to drop. If in doubt, stay out. How to cross rivers safely NIWA river flow forecasts: View a video of national followed by regional river flows
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Fees and bookings
Free
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Weka Burnet Bivvy
Basic/bivvies • 2 bunks • Canterbury • 2.7 km
Weka Burnet Bivvy is a basic two-bunk hut located in the North Canterbury and Arthur's Pass area.
Toilets - non-flush • Water from stream • Water supply
Unknown Stream Hut
Basic/bivvies • 4 bunks • Canterbury • 5 km
Unknown Stream Hut is a basic four-bunk hut located in the North Canterbury and Arthur's Pass area.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Park Morpeth Memorial Hut
Serviced Alpine • 6 bunks • Canterbury • 7.2 km
Park Morpeth Memorial Hut is a standard six-bunk hut located in the North Canterbury and Arthur's Pass area.
Mattresses • Lighting • Toilets - non-flush
Barker Memorial Hut
Serviced Alpine • 10 bunks • Canterbury • 8.3 km
Barker Memorial Hut is a standard 10-bunk hut located in the North Canterbury and Arthur's Pass area.
Toilets - non-flush • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use • Water supply
Moa Hut
Canterbury • 8.3 km
Walks nearby
Contact
Arthur's Pass National Park Visitor Centre
104 West Coast Road, Arthur's Pass 7654
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.

