Smoky Hunters Hut
Smoky Hunters Hut is a Department of Conservation backcountry hunter hut on Stewart Island/Rakiura (Rakiura National Park area). It’s a basic six-bunk hut intended for hunters who have booked surrounding hunting blocks, and it’s owned and maintained by the Rakiura Hunter Camp Trust. Use is for the public, but bookings are required via the Rakiura National Park Visitor Centre.
Inside, the hut has mattresses and a fireplace/multi-fuel burner setup, plus a toilet and a pit-latrine disposal system. Water is rainwater stored in a 1000-litre tank and is not treated—boil water before use. Cooking options and utensils aren’t provided, so plan on bringing your own stove/means to cook and your own dry firewood storage. The hut was built in 2015 to replace improvised plastic shelters, and it charges $30 per person for the length of stay (up to 10 days max). Access is by charter boat or helicopter (below mean high tide), or by foot on the North West Circuit Track.