Lees Creek Hut
Lees Creek Hut is a standard four-bunk backcountry hut in the Nelson Lakes area, run by the Department of Conservation. It’s first come, first served—no standard bookings are required. The hut charges fees (Adult 18+ $10 per night; Youth 5–17 $5; Child/Infant 0–4 free) and you must buy a Standard Hut Ticket for each night and place it in the honesty box at the hut.
Access is from the St Arnaud area: travel east out of St Arnaud toward Blenheim for 8.4 km, turn right onto Wairau-Hanmer Springs Hydro Rd (signed for Rainbow Skifield), then continue 27 km to the Homestead. Park below the power lines opposite where the track begins, cross the Wairau River via the swing bridge to the true right, then follow the track up Lee’s Creek; the approach is about 8.7 km from the car park to the hut. The stream can dry up in summer, so collect water downstream of the hut; sections may be damaged after storms and can be technical, so move carefully through rough spots.