Brewster Hut
Brewster Hut is a serviced backcountry hut in the Mount Aspiring National Park area, run by the Department of Conservation. It has 12 bunk beds and basic hut facilities; drinking water is untreated, and toilets use a pit latrine system.
Use is booking-based in summer: you need to book to stay over the summer season (1 October–31 May). From 1 June–30 September, bookings aren’t required, but fees still apply. Take a sleeping bag, stove and fuel, and cooking items, plus toilet paper, a rubbish bag to pack out all rubbish (including food scraps), and a torch; a backcountry hut pass is valid for use from 1 May–30 September.
Access is via the Brewster Track from SH 6 (Haast Highway), with an approximate return time of 6–8 hours and an advanced difficulty rating. Near the road end, the Brewster Track crosses the Haast River; it isn’t bridged, and you must walk through it—this crossing is dangerous when the river is in flood (often after heavy rain or snowmelt). The water tank may be dry in summer, especially December to February.