Lakehead Hut

Lakehead Hut is a serviced backcountry hut at the head of Lake Rotoiti, on the grassy flats of the lower Travers River valley. It is an overnight stop on the Lake Rotoiti Circuit and the Travers–Sabine Circuit, and a good goal for families with children or newer trampers. Book before setting out: no spaces are kept for walk-ins. You can hike from St Arnaud or take a water taxi to Lakehead jetty, then walk the last 15 minutes to the hut.

Allow about three hours for the 10.4 km walk from St Arnaud via Lakehead Track. The route threads through forest and crosses several shallow streams and shingle screes. Small beaches along the lake edge make good places for a break. Sandflies are a recurring nuisance for some visitors on this route, so repellent can make the walk more comfortable.

There are 26 shared bunks with mattresses, a wood burner, cold water from a rain collection tank and space to camp outside. Bring a sleeping bag and your own stove, pans, utensils, toilet paper, rubbish bag and torch; this is self-catered. The tank water’s treatment status is not stated, so bring a way to treat drinking water. Firewood is supplied from October through April, but not May through September, and weather can interrupt resupply.

A two-hour return walk reaches the swingbridge over the Travers River. You can also fish in the river or in Lake Rotoiti. Campers may use the hut’s water and toilets; camping space is outside the bunk rooms.

Lake Rotoiti has an invasive alga that can cause lake snow, a sticky mucus beneath the surface. Before swimming or collecting lake water, keep all gear completely dry for 48 hours. A biosecurity cleaning station at the hut is available for wet or damp boots, clothing, towels and drink bottles.

The current hut was built by the Nelson Lakes National Park Board in 1978, replacing an earlier hut at the lake edge, and received a major upgrade in 1996. European explorer Cotterell first recorded Lake Rotoiti in 1843 and continued up the Travers Valley. Glaciers carved the park’s five broad valley systems and two major lakes. Ngāti Rārua and Ngāti Tama traditions link the making of Rotoiti and Rotoroa to Rākaihautū, who is remembered for digging the lakes with his kō.