Highland Creek Hut
Highland Creek Hut is a standard 12-bunk backcountry hut in the Wānaka area (Otago), managed by the Department of Conservation. It sits on the Te Araroa Trail, so it can be busy over summer, and access to the hut is via an easement agreement on Motatapu Station Pastoral Lease. The hut has pit latrine toilets, untreated drinking water, and mattresses for overnight use.
Use is first come, first served—no booking is required—but fees apply. Before your stay, 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 at about 900 m, and the official hut ticket system is tied to Te Araroa Trail walkers’ Trail Pass registration. Track it into your planning as an advanced section of the Te Araroa itinerary (typically 3–4 days to reach).