Lodging · Arthur's Pass National Park
A remote two-bunk hut for experienced Poulter Range hikers.
Overview
Map
Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Arthur's Pass Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Arthur's Pass National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
Ranger Bivvy, also known as Fenwick Stream Biv, is a basic two-bunk hut tucked into the treeline on the Poulter Range. It suits experienced, self-reliant hikers planning an overnight backcountry trip, not a quick stop: DOC says there is no DOC track access. The shelter sits in a quiet, forested fold, with broad mountain views from a short rise above it.
The two canvas bunks have no mattresses, and the hut is free, unbookable and first come, first served. Bring your own bedding, food and water plan; no potable supply is listed. There is an open fireplace. A basic long-drop is reported uphill from the hut, though DOC's facility list does not mention it, so check before relying on it.
You must plan and navigate your own route. Route reports describe river crossings and steep climbing; DOC warns against crossing a flooded river or stream, or any crossing without a safe entry and exit. Be ready to turn back when conditions are unsafe. Winter trips also need avalanche awareness.
The New Zealand Forest Service built the bivvy in 1958, originally calling it Fenwick Stream Biv. Its canvas bunks and simple open-fire setup are a reminder that this is a basic backcountry shelter, not a serviced lodge.
Wildlife
982 sightingsKeaMost seen around noonSighting map
39 sightingsNew Zealand FalconMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
190 sightingsBlue DuckMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
20 sightingsKākāMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
15 sightingsWekaMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
15 sightingsParadise ShelduckMost seen around 6 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Arthur's Pass. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
ChallengingRanger Bivvy Track16.9 km · 10 hr · 4.9 km awayA steep ridge climb to a tiny bivvy above the Poulter.
EasyLake Minchin Track6.9 km · 2.5 hr · 7.1 km awayBeech forest opens onto a remote lake once served by a hut.
Lodging · 4.4 km awayTrust/Poulter HutA well-preserved six-bunk hut with an old Forest Service design.
Lodging · 4.9 km awayCasey HutA serviced 12-bunk refuge above the Poulter River
Lodging · 7.1 km awayPoulter HutA 10-bunk hut on the expert, multi-day Minchin Pass Route.
Lodging · 7.2 km awayBull Creek HutFree, first-come shelter for self-reliant backcountry walkers.
Sight · 7.2 km awayLake MinchinA pleasant one-hour lake walk from remote Poulter Hut.Parkwolf’s Arthur's Pass ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
