Lodging · Nelson Lakes National Park
A three-bunk hut high on the ridge, with wide range views.
Overview
Map
Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Nelson Lakes Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Nelson Lakes 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
Mount Misery Hut is a basic three-bunk shelter high on the northern Mahanga Range, at about 1,550 m. The stay is free and first come, first served, with no booking. Come for a remote night in the high country; this is a backcountry destination, not an easy roadside stop.
From Lake Rotoroa, a route account describes a steep 2.5 km ascent of about 1,100 m, first through forest, then on a poled route above the bushline. The upper ridge is exposed, and slippery sections are reported below the bushline. For a hut-to-hut trip, allow four hours from D’Urville Hut or five from Sabine Hut, plus time for your conditions.
The high ground looks over Lake Rotoroa toward Mt Windward, the Travers Range and Ella Range. On a clear day, the ridge gives a broad panorama. A small tarn sits by the hut, but don’t rely on it as untreated drinking water: bring water or a way to treat it.
The hut dates to 1965. With just three bunks, it suits a small party comfortable with a compact backcountry shelter.
Wildlife
20 sightingsNew Zealand FalconMost seen around 9 AMSighting map
39 sightingsWekaMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
11 sightingsKererūMost seen around 9 AMSighting map
55 sightingsBlack SwanMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
23 sightingsParadise ShelduckMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
17 sightingsTūīMost seen around 7 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Nelson Lakes. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
ChallengingMount Misery Track7.8 km · 6.5 hr · 2.9 km awayA 1,100-metre climb to a hut beside a tarn.
ChallengingD’Urville Track to Upper D’Urville Hut25.1 km · 11 hr · 3.8 km awayA remote valley traverse linking four backcountry huts.
ModerateD’Urville–Sabine Track7.9 km · 2 hr · 3.8 km awayA remote 4.9-mile hut link with a serious stream crossing.
ChallengingAngelus Hut via Mt Cedric Track/Route6.8 km · 6 hr · 3.8 km awayAn exposed ridge links two remote huts above an alpine basin.
ChallengingSabine–Speargrass Track11.5 km · 5 hr · 3.8 km awayA remote hut crossing, with a boardwalk through mountain wetlands.
ChallengingMole Saddle–Tiraumea Track5.8 km · 4 hr · 7.6 km awayAn undulating ridge walk down to a backcountry hut.
Lodging · 3.8 km awayD'Urville HutA 10-bunk lakeside hut with a jetty for boats and kayaks.
Lodging · 3.8 km awaySabine HutA warm, roomy hut with a broad view over Lake Rotoroa.
Lodging · 6.3 km awayMorgan HutAn overnight stop between two four-hour legs in the D’Urville Valley.
Lodging · 6.6 km awayCupola HutA remote alpine hut above the Travers Valley after a steep climb.
Lodging · 7.1 km awayHopeless HutA six-bunk hut with a Sir Edmund Hillary opening story.
Lodging · 7.9 km awayTiraumea HutA six-bunk hut for a remote, river-crossing backcountry trip.Parkwolf’s Nelson Lakes ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
