If you looking into buying some DOC Hut Tickets that means you’re going for at least an overnight, or potentially multiday hike. That’s exciting!
It’s easy to buy DOC Hut Tickets, and the whole system is straightforward. But this post will give you a bit more information you may need.
DOC HUT TICKETS: FAQS
One standard hut ticket is required to stay at Pakituhi Hut at the top of Breast Hill.
Where to buy DOC Hut Tickets?
There are lots of DOC Hut Ticket Retailers throughout the country so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting your hands on them (some retailers will sell out over the summer). You can buy hut tickets in most Macpac, Kathmandu, and Hunting & Fishing stores.
Here’s a complete list of retailers.
Can I buy DOC Hut Tickets online?
Yes!
You can online with Macpac.
This will be the best option for some of you, just make sure you purchase them in advance so they arrive in time.
They can also make for a great gift for hikers…buy them lots of standard hut tickets.
What tickets do I need?
There are different prices (and colours) for standard huts and serviced huts.
Serviced Huts
- Adults: $15 (green tickets)
- Youth (11 to 17 years): $7.50 (3x yellow tickets)
- Children (under 11 years): free
Standard Huts
- Adults: $5 (blue tickets)
- Youth (11 to 17 years): $2.50 (yellow tickets)
- Children (under 11 years): free
You’ll notice some huts are different prices, for example, Dart Hut is $20 from October to April. In this case you use one serviced (green) ticket and one standard (blue) ticket.
Can I use cash instead of hut tickets?
No. But if you really must, putting cash in the honesty box at the huts is better than not using tickets and fixing things
Is it worth getting a DOC Hut Pass instead of using tickets?
It depends on a few things, but you do need to stay the night at quite a few huts throughout the year to make it worth getting a DOC Backcountry Hut Pass.
For example, a 1-year pass for adults is $144. If you were staying huts where a stadard ticket is required, you’d only be better off with a hut pass if you stay in 29 of them. That’s quite a lot!
But if you’re planning to do a couple of the great walks in the offseason, they suddenly become quite a lot more practical.
For example, if you spend three nights in May on the Routeburn Track, that’s $25 eaxh night meaning you’ve used up $75 in value in three nights. You’d only need to spend another $69 of value and you’d be break even. Are you getting the idea now?
Do some rough calculations and you’ll have an idea of whether it’s worth getting hut tickets or a pass.
And a hut pass is way much less admin 😉
Do you have to book huts in advance?
In most cases no. But always check the status of the huts directly on the DOC website for the latest information as this can change.
Do DOC Hut Tickets expire?
Heather Jock Hut is free! No DOC hut tickets required 🙂
No, they do not expire. So if you want to stockpile lots of tickets at home, go for gold.
FINAL NOTE ON PAYING WITH DOC HUT TICKETS
Please pay for all of the DOC Huts and campgrounds you use!
There’s a quote I like (not sure of its origins):
So just because there might not be a DOC hut warden at the hut, if you’re a half-decent person you’ll still put your hut ticket in the HONESTY box.
The funds from the DOC Hut Tickets go toward the maintenance of the huts and tracks and how good are they!
There’s some interesting data in this post, but they do mention that a standard hut (the most basic hut) costs $NZ5,000 – NZ$6,000 annually. The better the hut, the higher the cost.
So your five bucks here and there certainly helps!
And there are lots of huts around the country where you can stay for FREE! Heather Jock Hut on the Mount Jdah Track for example.
If you have any questions about buying/using DOC hut tickets, let me know in the comments below or email jub@churnewzealand.com.
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Check out some of these hikes that feature some of my favourite tracks to stay at:
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.