If you’re planning some overnight hikes in New Zealand, a Backcountry Hut Pass might be worth buying.
Note: There are regular changes to the DOC Backcountry Hut Pass price, how to get them etc. This post was last updated on June 16th, 2022. The DOC website has the most up-to-date information.
It’s possible to book huts on an individual basis, but if you’re planning at least a few overnight hikes in New Zealand, the convenience and savings from having a hut pass are sweet.
This post will answer the most common questions about buying a Backcountry Hut Pass.
I’ll get into things shortly, but I suggest you read the Hut pass terms and conditions before you go and buy a pass.
FAQ’S ABOUT THE DOC BACKCOUNTRY HUT PASS
You can click on the questions below to jump straight to each answer.
1. What Is New Zealand’s Backcountry Hut Pass?
2. How Much Does New Zealand’s Backcountry Hut Pass Cost?
3. Where Can I Buy DOC Hut passes?
4. Can I Stay At All Huts With My DOC Pass?
5. What Are The Other Options?
6. Can I Get An Extension?
7. Is There A Lifetime Pass?
8. Are There Any Other Benefits To Having The Pass?
9. Where do I buy DOC Hut tickets?
What Is New Zealand’s Backcountry Hut Pass?
The DOC Backcountry Hut Pass is a card you can purchase that allows you to stay in most DOC huts throughout the country, some of which can be booked online.
There are some huts that are excluded depending on the time of the year. You can find that list here.
How Much Does New Zealand’s Backcountry Hut Pass Cost?
Mueller Hut in Mount Cook National Park
For a 6 month Backcountry Hut pass:
- Adult: $108
- Youth (11 – 17 years): $54
- Child (0 – 10 years): Free
For a 12 month pass:
- Adult: $144
- Youth (11 – 17 years): $72
- Child (0 – 10 years): Free
Where Can I Buy DOC Backcountry Hut passes?
The new Minaro Hut on the Milford Track
Note: As of 2022, you no longer get a physical plastic card from the DOC visitor centres (this makes me sad).
You can buy your DOC Backcountry Hut passes online (you’ll need to create an account). You can choose the date for when your card becomes valid up to a month in advance.
For example, today is June 17th, 2022. I can select my first valid date to be July 1st, 2022 which lets me use the pass until June 30th 2023.
Once you purchase your card, the pass will be linked to your account. You’ll receive a digital pass via email, but you can also note the DOC Hut Pass number to fill in at the various huts (if you’re like me and are probably going to just get the paper wet).
Can I buy hut passes for someone else?
You sure can! Just make sure you get all their details correct…what a fun gift idea for hikers.
Is there any way to get a discount?
For members of the following clubs, you are eligible for a discount on an annual DOC hut pass. When you purchase your hut pass online, you’ll need to upload a photo of your current membership card.
- Federated Mountain Clubs
- Mountain Safety Council
- NZ Deerstalkers Association
- NZ Alpine Club
- Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations
- LandSAR
- Scouts NZ
- GirlGuiding NZ
- Kiwi Association of Sea Kayakers
If you’re a YHA member, you can get the 12 month pass for $118.
Can I Stay At All Huts With My DOC Pass?
Powell Hut in the Tararua Ranges.
No, and this is where things can be confusing.
Check the DOC website before you set out on any overnight hikes to make sure your Backcountry Hut Pass lets you stay at the huts you’re wanting to stay at.
As you dive into different hikes, you’ll learn that there are different hut types. Here’s a quick run down on each of them.
The different hut categories are:
- Great Walk huts
- Serviced huts
- Standard huts
- Basic huts/bivvies
- Club huts including serviced alpine huts
Great Walk huts
The most ‘luxurious’ hut category. These are the huts you’ll see on the Great Walks in NZ.
The walks are designed to cater to a wide range of people. Often it’ll be the first, and possibly only time someone stays in a hut overnight.
A Backcountry Hut Pass doesn’t allow you to stay in the Great Walk huts during the busy season. But you can do so in the offseason (May 1st to approx. October 1st).
But there are exceptions with the likes of the Paparoa Hut. You can’t stay there at any time of the year with the Backcountry Hut Pass.
The huts will have:
- mattresses
- water supply
- toilets
- hand washing facilities
- heating with fuel available
Some of them will have solar lighting, cooking facilities with fuel and a hut warden.
The pricing of Great Walk huts varies a lot if you don’t have a hut pass. Here’s a link for more info along with the huts that you can’t use a Backcountry Hut Pass to stay in.
Serviced huts
These huts have:
- mattresses
- water supply
- toilets
- hand washing facilities
- heating with fuel available
They may have cooking facilities with fuel and a warden.
You can stay in the majority of serviced huts with your DOC Backcountry Hut pass all year-round.
Standard huts
These huts have:
- mattresses
- water supply
- toilets
Wood heaters are provided at huts below the bush line.
You can stay in the majority of serviced huts with your DOC Backcountry Hut pass year-round.
Basic huts/bivvies
Basic huts provide very basic shelter with limited facilities and are free to stay in year-round for all.
Club huts including serviced alpine huts
There are various other huts open to the public as they’re on conservation land. Examples include Alpine Club huts, and private bush cabins. You’ll need to check out the individual hut pages for the prices of these huts, and they are unlikely to accept Backcountry Hut Passes.
These huts usually have:
- mattresses
- water supply
- toilets
- handwashing facilities
They may have heating and cooking facilities and some require a booking.
What Are The Other Options For Staying In The Backcountry?
Most of the huts around NZ cannot be booked in advance. In these situations, it’s first come, first serve and you can buy a hut ticket before your trip.
Sometimes you’re able to camp in a tent for free with your Backcountry Hut Pass. There are times you’re allowed to put up your tent right by the hut, in some cases not. This varies a lot from hut to hut, so your best bet will be to speak directly with the local DOC visitor centre and read the DOC website in advance.
Can I Get An Extension?
No. Once your pass has expired, you’ll need to buy a new pass.
The price increase between a 6 and 12-month pass is minor so unless you’re definitely in NZ for less than 6 months you’ll be better off getting the 12-month pass I think.
Is There A Lifetime Pass?
Yes. It’s called the DOC Lifetime Pass Card.
But it’s only given to permanent, fixed-term and casual staff DOC employees. There’s no lifetime pass for the general public.
Are There Any Other Benefits To Having The Pass?
Not really, you don’t get preferences for bunks etc. The best part about the Backcountry Hut Pass is the convenience.
I did the Milford Track in May and I had my Backcountry Hut card in my backpack and never had to think about it. My hiking buddies? They were paying with hut passes and that was just a little chore they had to deal with when we arrived at each hut.
As long as you think you’re going to spend 10+ nights a year in backcountry huts, buying a Hut Pass is most likely going to be the best idea for you.
10 nights might seem like a lot, but as long as you go on a few multi-day hikes which is super easy over summer you’ll quickly find yourself spending a good period of time in huts.
And buying a hut pass might be that little bit of motivation you need to go out into nature that you can sometimes procrastinate over.
Where do I buy DOC Hut Tickets?
So you’ve got a hut pass and have a friend you need to buy a hut ticket for as they’re joining you on the hike? Easy! There are over 100 places you can buy them from across the country. Generally any Kathmandu store, Macpac, or DOC visitor centre.
Here’s a comprehensive list of retailers.
If you get really stuck, put some cash into the box where you put the tickets at the hut. Obviously, it’s better to put hut tickets in.
I’ve written about DOC Hut Tickets here.
If you’ve got any questions about buying a DOC Backcountry Hut pass, let me know in the comments below or email jub@churnewzealand.com.
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Hey, it’s Jub here. I’m the guy behind Chur New Zealand, helping you have the best time hiking, trekking, walking…whatever you want to call it…in NZ. I’m based in Queenstown and am always out and about exploring trails, old & new. If you have any questions, reach out.