Waitutu Hut
Standard hutFiordland National Park, SouthlandOpen
Current advisories
Francis Burn Viaduct closed
27 July 2026
Francis Burn Viaduct on the South Coast Track is closed for safety reasons. A rough track has been cut and marked to bypass the Francis Burn Viaduct. The Francis Burn is unbridged, so may be impassable during or after heavy rain events. Crossing the unbridged river can be dangerous. Do not cross: if the river is high during or after heavy rain, as it can rise rapidly if you do not have river crossing skills If in doubt, stay out. First published on 7 February 2026. Last reviewed on 28 July 2026.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai alerts.
- Sleeps
- 12 bunks
- Booking
- Not bookable
- Cost
- from $15
- 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 CG06
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. 46.23694° S, 167.06335° E
About this place
This is a standard 12-bunk hut in southern Fiordland.
On the way here
South Coast Track · 7 hr to Port Craig, 4 days to Big River
Wairaurahiri Hut to Waitutu Hut
Time: 6 hours
Track category: Tramping track km Cross the Wairaurahiri River over the bridge next to the hut. This track winds through private Māori land and bush clad coastal terraces until meeting the Waitutu River, where a suspension bridge gives access to the Waitutu Hut (200 m upstream on the true right bank).
Waitutu Hut to Big River
Time: 5+ hours
Track category: Route km From the Waitutu Hut, the track is a marked route and is recommended for experienced trampers only. Westies Hut is located in a sea cave at Prices Harbour, signposted from the track about 2 km east of Big River.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Know before you go
Requirements for taking a vessel into Fiordland Marine Area
The Fiordland Marine Pathway Plan protects the area from marine pests which can be carried in on boats. It sets out rules and standards that must be met by all vessels entering within one nautical mile of the landward boundary of the Fiordland Marine Area. If you take a vessel into Fiordland from outside the area you must: apply for a Clean Vessel Pass , and ensure that hulls are clean of marine pest species. The plan is an Environment Southland regulation. DOC has no authority below mean high tide except in marine reserves or concerning marine mammals – we do not enforce any fishing regulations. More information about the Fiordland Marine Pathway Plan . See the Fiordland by Sea: A guide to the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area - including maps, anchorages and fishing regulations.
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
Westies Hut
Basic/bivvies • 5 bunks • Southland • 9.1 km
Westies Hut is a basic five-bunk hut located on the South Coast Track in Fiordland.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Wairaurahiri Hut
Standard • 13 bunks • Southland • 12 km
Wairaurahiri Hut is a standard 13-bunk hut located in southern Fiordland.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Port Craig School Hut
Serviced • 20 bunks • Southland • 23 km
Port Craig School Hut is a serviced 20-bunk hut located in southern Fiordland.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
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?
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
- 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.