1 active Westland Tai Poutini alert
- CautionActive landslide zones on Copland TrackDo not stop in either of Copland Track’s signposted active landslide zones; take extra care during and after heavy rain.Official details
Overview
About Cassel Flat Hut
Why stop
- Six bunks and heating in a remote backcountry valley.
Heads up
- A rough six-hour approach through valleys that can flood year-round.
Map
Where it is
Loading the Westland Tai Poutini map
Full mapPlan your stop
Before you go
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Westland Tai Poutini Tour Guide
Your drive to Cassel Flat Hut, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Westland Tai Poutini 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.
See the Westland Tai Poutini audio tourMore stories near here in the app
- Copland Track Access: the Walk to Welcome Flat
- 49 audio storiesacross Westland Tai Poutini’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Kea, Blue Duck, Kererū, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 31 trails, 53 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“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
More about Cassel Flat Hut
A remote overnight stopCassel Flat Hut is a six-bunk backcountry hut in the park’s Glaciers area, serving the…
Cassel Flat Hut is a six-bunk backcountry hut in the park’s Glaciers area, serving the Karangarua and Douglas valley routes. It is a practical overnight stop for experienced, well-equipped trampers and hunters, not a casual day trip.
A basic place to stayThe hut has mattresses and heating, a non-flush toilet, and tap water that is untreated and…
The hut has mattresses and heating, a non-flush toilet, and tap water that is untreated and must be boiled. There is no food service, so bring your own meals. Dogs are not permitted on these routes.
Plan for river countryThe route starts beside the Karangarua River bridge on State Highway 6, about 26 km south of…
The route starts beside the Karangarua River bridge on State Highway 6, about 26 km south of Fox Glacier. The six-hour approach follows riverbed for long stretches, then crosses flood channels, bush, boulders and grassy flats. Summer and autumn are generally the better seasons, but the valleys can flood at any time of year. Avoid forecast rain, never cross a flooded river or stream, check current conditions, and carry a personal locator beacon.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Westland Tai Poutini
89 sightingsKeaMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
10 sightingsBlue DuckMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
80 sightingsKererūMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
38 sightingsTūīMost seen around 5 AMSighting map
10 sightingsNew Zealand FalconMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
28 sightingsYellow-crowned ParakeetMost seen around 8 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Westland Tai Poutini. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
