Tummel Burn Hut
Tummel Burn Hut is a rustic backcountry shelter on Branches Station, used as a trampers’ stopover near the head of the Shotover River in Otago, New Zealand. The hut is private and is used on a self-managing basis rather than a serviced facility, with basic sleeping space inside and camping possible nearby on Junction Flat.
It’s a small hut: the sleeping setup is mattresses on a simple platform (no traditional bunk system). Interior capacity is limited (commonly 3–4 people), and when the hut is full, overflow camping is used on the flats outside. A hut logbook needs to be signed on arrival, and the hut uses a drop/long-drop toilet nearby rather than plumbed facilities.
Access involves permission: the hut and surrounding area are on private farmland, so you must seek permission from the Branches Station Manager before crossing the land to reach the hut or camp. The approach descriptions for this hut commonly involve river travel along the Shotover, including crossings that can become difficult or impassable after rain.
The hut provides shelter from mountain weather and sandflies, and there’s open-fire/simple fire heating available for cooking/warming. Water can be obtained from the nearby Tummel Burn or other nearby streams, and you’ll need to bring a stove, your own sleeping bag, and food/provisions.