Hawdon Hut
Serviced hutArthur's Pass National Park, CanterburyDOC data as at 20 September 2026
About this place
This is a serviced 20-bunk hut in the North Canterbury and Arthur's Pass area.
Know before you go
Plan for river crossings
There are numerous river crossings along this route. Do not attempt this track during and after heavy rainfall. Rivers and major side streams can rise quickly and become dangerous. Ensure you have the latest weather information and that you are confident in assessing rivers and knowing how to cross them safely. How to cross rivers safely - Mountain Safety Council website DOC markers may not indicate the safest crossing point. You may need to walk upstream or downstream to find a more suitable place to cross. If travelling this route during rainy weather take spare food in case you are stuck in the hut by rising river levels. DOC staff use 4-wheel motorbikes to access the valley to protect the endangered kakariki/orange-fronted parakeet. Coloured markers and tape in the valley mark access points for DOC staff. Do not follow these markers. Follow only the standard orange track markers.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Trip options
Walking times computed leg by leg from DOC track descriptions, from car-accessible trailheads.
2 options · 2 to 4 nights
SH73
Walking in
14 hr (via Edwards Hut)
Walking out
12 hr to Hawdon Shelter
Walking in
14 hr (via Edwards Hut)
Walking out
14 hr to SH73 (via Edwards Hut)
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai track descriptions.
Fees and bookings
1 May - 30 September
1 October - 30 April
Weekdays
Weekends
1 December - 29 February
Weekdays
Weekends
Bookings are open for stays up to 30 June 2027. If no availability shows online for your dates, the hut is fully booked. No spaces are kept for visitors arriving without a booking. Phone and in‑person bookings made at a visitor centre incur a $10 service fee. Same‑day bookings are available online until 8 pm if spaces remain.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Getting there
- Topo map
- Topo50 sheet BV21
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
On these tracks
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Contact
Arthur's Pass National Park Visitor Centre
104 West Coast Road, Arthur's Pass 7654
Regional DOC service centre.
Nearby stops
Edwards Hut
Serviced • 16 bunks • Canterbury • 7.8 km
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
East Hawdon Bivvy
Basic/bivvies • 2 bunks • Canterbury • 3.7 km
Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush • Water from stream
Sudden Valley Bivvy
Basic/bivvies • 2 bunks • Canterbury • 4.8 km
Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush • Water from stream
Otehake Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • West Coast • 6.2 km
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Worsley Bivvy
Basic/bivvies • 4 bunks • Canterbury • 7.8 km
Toilets - non-flush • Water from stream • Water supply
All details
- Facilities
- HeatingMattressesToilets - non-flushWater from tap - not treatedboil before useWater supply
- Bookable
- Yes
- Category
- Serviced
- Location
- Arthur's Pass National Park
- Fireplace
- Yes
- Mattress
- Yes
- Capacity
- 20
- Toilets
- Yes
- Drinking water
- untreated
- Reservations
- No
- Fee
- Yes
- Website
- This place on doc.govt.nz
- Source data
- View source data
- road access
- Not Applicable
Map and tracks
Track lines: DOC Te Papa Atawhai. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.42.91107° S, 171.73266° E
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Sources
- DOC Huts (API) · CC BY 4.0Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Data sourced from the DOC Developer Portal (api.doc.govt.nz).
- DOC Huts · CC BY 4.0Data sourced from the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand.
- OpenStreetMap Huts · ODbL (Open Database License)Contains information from OpenStreetMap, made available under the ODbL.