Poulter Hut

Poulter Hut is a 10-bunk backcountry hut on the true left bank of the Poulter River, where the bush opens onto a broad clearing. It’s an overnight stop on the Minchin Pass Route, not a roadside attraction; DOC grades the full route Expert and allows three to four days. I’d keep it in your plan if you’re travelling the Poulter Valley toward Minchin Pass or Lake Minchin.

From Trust/Poulter Hut, allow about an hour. The route leaves the old 4WD track, crosses the Poulter riverbed, then follows marker poles through high matagouri to the hut track. The full route starts at Andrews Shelter on Mount White Road, 24 km east of Arthur’s Pass. River crossings can become impassable when water rises, so don’t push on if the Poulter is running high.

There are 10 bunks, heating and non-flush toilets. Water from the tap is untreated; boil it before drinking. There’s no food service, so carry what you need for the trip. The clearing has room for tents. Bookings aren’t required, but you do need a DOC Hut Ticket or Backcountry Hut Pass.

The current hut was built in 2003. The old hut site is another hour beyond, at Lake Minchin; the track there follows easy gradients through beech forest, but no hut remains by the lake.