New hut offers comfort to weary trampers

STACY SQUIRES/The Press

POPULAR WITH FAMILIES: Department of Conservation ranger Bruce Webster inspects the bush around the new Hawdon Hut in the Arthurs Pass National Park.

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Trampers will be able to put their feet up in comfort in the new $300,000 Hawdon Hut in the Arthurs Pass National Park.

The hut has opened in time for the festive season.

Fifteen kilometres up the Hawdon River valley, the hut is about 20 minutes walk further upstream than its predecessor, which burned down in June 2005.

The serviced accommodation sleeps up to 20 people and has two toilets, a rainwater supply, an emergency radio, a wood-burning stove, firewood and mattresses.

It was built by Te Ngahere Ltd, whose workers were undeterred by major snowfalls, harsh living conditions during construction and having to fly everything in for the project.

Project manager Bruce Webster said the hut would be a great asset in the valley.

"This has always been a popular easy day walk or overnight stay for families, with around 1000 bed nights per year at the old hut. The comfortable new hut will no doubt be even more popular," he said.

Fees for serviced huts are $10 a night per person and half price for youths up to 18 years. Children 10 years and under are free.

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