George Lyon Hut

George Lyon Hut is a standard 16-bunk backcountry hut in Nelson Lakes’ D’Urville Valley, around 660 m above sea level beside the river. It’s a useful link on long valley walks, not a drive-up attraction: the nearest published walking links take three hours from Upper D’Urville Hut and four from Morgan Hut. The route over 1,780 m Moss Pass from Blue Lake Hut is a serious alpine crossing; it’s steep and exposed, so choose a fine-weather window. Snow is more likely outside summer.

The hut is first come, first served, with no booking. Its two rooms each have eight bunks and benches, and share one woodburner. There’s a pit toilet and no drinking-water tap; the nearby river is the reported water source. It’s self-catering, with no food service listed. Pay with hut tickets or a valid Backcountry Hut Pass. Camping is also reported beside the hut, though a formal site layout wasn’t documented.

Built in 1973 as Ella Hut, it was later named for George Lyon, Nelson Lakes’ first chief ranger, who served from 1959 to 1980. He promoted outdoor education and conservation and helped shape the park’s early recreation network, including 11 backcountry huts. The hut’s unusual two-room layout is part of what makes this old backcountry shelter distinctive.