Bushline Hut

Bushline Hut is a 14-bunk Department of Conservation hut at the tree line above Lake Rotoiti, with the St Arnaud Range beyond. The climb from Mount Robert Road takes about 2½ hours each way. I’d choose it for an overnight tramp or the Mount Robert Circuit if a sustained uphill walk sounds like part of the fun. Book ahead: when the online bunks are full, there are no walk-in spaces.

Paddy’s and Pinchgut tracks meet at the hut and together form the five-hour Mount Robert Circuit. Paddy’s starts with a relatively gentle stretch through bush, then climbs in open zigzags; Lake Rotoiti comes into view as you gain height. Pinchgut makes the other side of the loop, descending from the hut through the bush.

There are shared platform bunks with mattresses, a wood burner and usually firewood, though bad weather can delay resupply. Cold water comes from a rain tank, and there’s space to camp outside. Bring your own sleeping bag, food, stove, cookware and toilet paper; you’ll be looking after your own meals. The tank can freeze in winter.

Snow and ice can make the tracks challenging, and Mount Robert Road’s gate is locked when the road is icy. Strong winds can be dangerous on the open tops, so check the conditions before committing to the walk.

The present hut was built in 1989 by the Department of Conservation. It replaced an earlier hut built in 1944 by members of the Nelson Ski Club, which burned down in December 1987.

Just above Bushline is the locked historic Kea Hut. Farther across the open tops, 2nd Basin has the old Mt Robert Ski Field buildings. They give the overnight walk a little more history than a simple out-and-back to the bunks.