Awapoto Hut
Awapoto Hut is a standard 12-bunk backcountry hut in Abel Tasman National Park, run by the Department of Conservation for Golden Bay area trips. Use is first come, first served—standard hut bookings aren’t required, but you need to buy a Standard Hut Ticket for each night and place it in the honesty box at the hut (or use a Backcountry Hut Pass for unlimited use at most Standard and Serviced huts for a 12-month period).
The hut is in the Nelson/Tasman region and is reached by inland track routes from nearby road ends. From Pigeon Saddle (Totaranui Road) it’s about 3 hours (5 km) via the Inland Track; from Wainui car park (McShane Road) it’s about 5 hr 30 min (13 km) via the Inland Track. From the hut, Castle Rock Hut is about 6 hours (13 km) via the Inland Track.
Operational basics for staying overnight: the hut has drinking water that’s untreated, a fireplace, mattresses, and toilets with pit latrine disposal. Fees are charged (e.g., through 30 June 2026: $10 per adult night, $5 per youth night, with children/infants 0–4 free).