Red Hut
Red Hut is a Department of Conservation backcountry hut in Ruataniwha Conservation Park (Canterbury), set on a river fan of the Hopkins with surrounding beech forest. It’s a historic 12-bunk hut built in 1916 for commercial guiding, later used mainly as a mustering hut by Huxley Gorge Station, and fully restored in 2003; it has two separate rooms (men’s and ladies’) and is now equipped with a log burner and mattresses.
Sleeping capacity is 12. Use is first come, first served (no standard bookings required). There is drinking water available but it’s untreated; toilets are pit latrines, and the hut has a fireplace and a horse paddock at the hut. Fees apply (for example, adult $10 per night and youth $5 per night, with children/infants free) and DOC hut tickets or a Backcountry Hut Pass are required for stays.
Red Hut is about 4 hours (15 km) up the Hopkins Valley from Ram Hill carpark, at the end of Lake Ohau Road.