DOC accommodation price changes 2021/2022
Introduction
We're updating accommodation pricing for the 2021/22 booking year (1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022). This is to improve cost recovery, spread demand and reflect the value of our facilities.New prices are being implemented in the 2021 to 2022 summer season. The changes will affect some popular multi-day tramps and a selection of huts, holiday parks and sole occupany facilities. This is to improve cost recovery and help spread demand to less popular periods.
We're introducing some general price increases for some huts across the week and weekend pricing for 11 of the most popular bookable huts outside of the Great Walks. We're also making cost-inflation or high-demand adjustments for two holiday parks and 31 sole occupancy facilities.
Download this information in a factsheet (PDF, 310K)
Price reset and differential pricing on the Great Walks
We're having a price reset for huts and campsites on the Great Walks introducing shoulder season pricing. This includes both increases and decreases in pricing reflecting the value of the walks.
Differential pricing is being reintroduced with a lower international fee of one and a half times the adult New Zealand rate. This is being applied to seven of the 10 Great Walks. The international youth rate is set at half the cost for an international adult is applicable on all the Great Walks except Lake Waikaremoana.
The purpose of differential pricing is to:
- improve access to the Great Walks for people ordinarily resident in New Zealand;
- increase the proportion of costs that are received from international users; and
- charge international visitors a fee that more fairly reflects the high value Great Walks offer.
Great Walk huts
| Great Walk huts | Summer prices | Winter prices | Shoulder prices | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (incl GST) | (incl GST) | (incl GST) | ||||||||||
| International | NZ resident | International | NZ resident | May–June | Sept | |||||||
| Adult | Youth | Adult | Youth | Adult | Youth | Adult | Youth | Adult | Youth | Adult | Youth | |
| Milford Track | ||||||||||||
| Updated prices | $110 | $55 | $78 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $0 |
| Previous prices1 | $70 | $35 | $70 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $0 |
| Kepler Track | ||||||||||||
| Updated prices | $102 | $51 | $68 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $252 | $0 | $15 | $0 |
| Previous prices | $65 | $32.50 | $65 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $0 |
| Routeburn Track | ||||||||||||
| Updated prices | $102 | $51 | $68 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $25 | $0 | $15 | $0 |
| Previous prices | $65 | $32.50 | $65 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $0 |
| Paparoa Track3 | ||||||||||||
| Updated prices | $45 | $22.50 | $45 | $0 | $45 | $0 | $45 | $0 | $45 | $0 | $45 | $0 |
| Previous prices | $45 | $22.50 | $45 | $0 | $45 | $0 | $45 | $0 | $45 | $0 | $45 | $0 |
| Abel Tasman Coast Track | ||||||||||||
| Updated prices | $56 | $32 | $42 | $0 | $26 | $0 | $26 | $0 | $32 | $0 | $32 | $0 |
| Previous prices | $38 | $19 | $38 | $0 | $32 | $16 | $32 | $0 | $32 | $0* | $32 | $0* |
| Heaphy Track | ||||||||||||
| Updated prices | $56 | $28 | $37 | $0 | $26 | $0 | $26 | $0 | $32 | $0 | $32 | $0 |
| Previous prices | $34 | $17 | $34 | $0 | $34 | $17 | $34 | $0 | $34 | $0* | $34 | $0* |
| Rakiura Track | ||||||||||||
| Updated prices | $56 | $28 | $37 | $0 | $26 | $0 | $26 | $0 | $32 | $0 | $26 | $0 |
| Previous prices | $24 | $12 | $24 | $0 | $22 | $11 | $22 | $0 | $22 | $0* | $22 | $0* |
| Tongariro Northern Circuit | ||||||||||||
| Updated prices | $56 | $28 | $37 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $0 |
| Previous prices | $36 | $18 | $36 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $0 |
| Whanganui Journey3 | ||||||||||||
| Updated prices | $30 | $15 | $30 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $0 |
| Previous prices | $32 | $16 | $32 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $0 |
| Lake Waikaremoana Track3 | ||||||||||||
| Updated prices | $32 | $0 | $32 | $0 | $32 | $0 | $32 | $0 | $32 | $0 | $32 | $0 |
| Previous prices | $32 | $0 | $32 | $0 | $32 | $0 | $32 | $0 | $32 | $0 | $32 | $0 |
1 Previous prices refer to 2020/21 DOC prices.
2 Prices applicable to Luxmore Hut only, other hut prices: adults $15 and children (17 years and under) free.
3 No international adult rate on this Great Walk.
* NZ Residents' pricing.
Great Walk campsites
| Great Walk campsites | Summer prices | Non-summer prices | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (incl GST) | (incl GST) | |||||||
| International | NZ residents | International | NZ residents | |||||
| Adult | Youth | Adult | Youth | Adult | Youth | Adult | Youth | |
| Kepler Track | ||||||||
| Updated prices | $32 | $16 | $21 | $0 | $5 | $0 | $5 | $0 |
| Previous prices1 | $20 | $10 | $20 | $0 | $5 | $0 | $5 | $0 |
| Routeburn Track | ||||||||
| Updated prices | $32 | $16 | $21 | $0 | $5 | $0 | $5 | $0 |
| Previous prices | $20 | $10 | $20 | $0 | $5 | $0 | $5 | $0 |
| Abel Tasman Coast Track | ||||||||
| Updated prices | $24 | $12 | $16 | $0 | $16 | $0 | $16 | $0 |
| Previous prices | $15 | $7.50 | $15 | $0 | $15 | $7.50 | $15 | $0 |
| Heaphy Track | ||||||||
| Updated prices | $24 | $12 | $16 | $0 | $16 | $0 | $16 | $0 |
| Previous prices | $14 | $7 | $14 | $0 | $14 | $7 | $14 | $0 |
| Rakiura Track | ||||||||
| Updated prices | $24 | $12 | $16 | $0 | $5 | $0 | $5 | $0 |
| Previous prices | $6 | $3 | $6 | $0 | $6 | $3 | $6 | $0 |
| Tongariro Northern Circuit | ||||||||
| Updated prices | $24 | $12 | $16 | $0 | $5 | $0 | $5 | $0 |
| Previous prices | $15 | $7.50 | $15 | $0 | $5 | $0 | $5 | $0 |
| Whanganui Journey2, 3 | ||||||||
| Updated prices | $16 | $0 | $16 | $0 | $8 | $0 | $8 | $0 |
| Previous prices | $20 | $10 | $20 | $0 | $0+ | $0+ | $0+ | $0+ |
| Lake Waikaremoana Track3 | ||||||||
| Updated prices | $14 | $0 | $14 | $0 | $14 | $0 | $14 | $0 |
| Previous prices | $14 | $0 | $14 | $0 | $14 | $0 | $14 | $0 |
1 Previous prices refer to 2020/21 DOC prices.
2 Note: Ohinepane and Whakahoro campsites to have the same rates for drive-in and non-drive-in campers.
3 No international rates on this Great Walk.
+ Prices not applicable to Ohinepane and Wahakahoro campsites.
Price increase for popular multi-day tramps
Popular tracks Greenstone-Caples, Rees-Dart, Travers-Sabine Circuit, all had approved price increases put on hold due to COVID-19.
These new prices are now being implemented in the 2021/22 summer season. The new price still allows for the use of hut tickets. The new prices are considered to better reflect the value of the experience and assist with improving costs recovery from the users of the facilities.
| Tracks | Summer prices (incl GST) | Winter prices (incl GST) | Shoulder prices (incl GST) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May-June Sept | ||||||||
| Adult | Youth | Adult | Youth | Adult | Youth | Adult | Youth | |
| Greenstone-Caples Track* | $20.00 | $10.00 | $15.00 | $7.50 | $15.00 | $7.50 | $15.00 | $7.50 |
| Rees-Dart Track** | $20.00 | $10.00 | $15.00 | $7.50 | $15.00 | $7.50 | $15.00 | $7.50 |
| Travers-Sabine Circuit*** | $20.00 | $10.00 | $15.00 | $7.50 | $15.00 | $7.50 | $15.00 | $7.50 |
* Mid Caples Hut, McKellar Hut, and Greenstone Hut.
** Shelter Rock Hut, Dart Hut, and Daleys Flat Hut.
*** Lakehead Hut, John Tait Hut, Upper Travers Hut, West Sabine Hut, Sabine Hut, Speargrass Hut, and Blue Lake Hut.
Note: the previous hut prices were $15 and $7.50 for adults and youth respectively.
Price increase for huts
General huts
Pinnacles Hut in the Coromandel and Brewster Hut will have a general price increase across the week due to strong, sustained demand.
| Huts | 2019/20 price | New price |
|---|---|---|
| Brewster Hut | $20 per adult/$10 per youth | $30 per adult/$15 per youth |
| Pinnacles Hut (Kauaeranga Valley) | $20 per adult/$10 per youth | $25 per adult/$12.50 per youth |
Weekend prices for popular huts
Weekend and seasonal pricing is being introduced for 11 of the most popular bookable huts outside of the Great Walks.
This will improve cost recovery and help spread demand to less popular periods. The increase in the weekend price for these huts will be $5 per adult per night ($2.50 per under 17s). For some huts the increase is for Saturday only; for others it includes Friday and/or Sunday.
Weekend and seasonal pricing is being introduced for 11 of the most popular bookable huts outside of the Great Walks. This will improve cost recovery and help spread demand to less popular periods. The increase in the weekend price for these huts will be $5 per adult per night ($2.50 per under 17s). For some huts the increase is for Saturday only; for others it includes Friday and/or Sunday.
| Huts | 2019/20 price | New Saturday night price |
|---|---|---|
| Crosbies Hut Powell Hut Pinnacles Hut (Mt Somers) Woolshed Creek Hut Sunrise Hut Waitawheta Hut |
$15 per adult/$7.50 per youth | $20 per adult/$10.00 per youth |
| Atiwhakatu Hut | $5 per adult/$2.50 per youth | $10 per adult/$5.00 per youth |
| Huts | 2019/20 price | New Friday/Saturday night price |
|---|---|---|
| Rod Donald Hut | $15 per adult/$7.50 per youth | $20 per adult/$10.00 per youth |
| Huts | 2019/20 price | New Saturday night price |
|---|---|---|
| Peach Cove Hut | $20 per adult/$10 per youth | $25 per adult/$12.50 per youth |
| Ōtamahua and Packhorse Huts | $15 per adult/$7.50 per youth | $20 per adult/$10.00 per youth |
Price increases for sole occupancy facilities
New prices will be implemented for two holiday parks and 31 sole occupancy facilities.
The price increases are based on cost-inflation adjustments or high-demand to better reflect the value of the experience and assist with improving costs recovery from users of the facilities. The new pricing structure also introduces charges for additional guests and minimum night stays for some facilities.
| Property | 2019/20 Price | New price |
|---|---|---|
| Boar Hut | $40 | Weekday: $40 Weekend*** and holiday: $50 |
| Coast Road Cabin | $200 | $209 |
| Cobb Hostel | $80 | No change |
| Cookson Cottage | $80 for 2 people Additional: $20 Min 2-night stay |
$84 for 2 people Additional: $21 Min 2-night stay |
| Cottage 110 | Peak: $249 Off-peak: $208 3-night min stay |
No Change |
| Education House | $200 | Weekday: $220 Weekend & Holiday: $265 |
| Haurangi Hut | $100 | Weekday: $105 Weekend*** & holiday: $125 |
| Holdsworth Lodge | Adult: $25 per bunk Child: $15 per bunk |
Adult: $27 per bunk Child: $13.50 per bunk |
| Holdsworth Lodge Kaka Room | $80 | $86 |
| Holdsworth Lodge Kereru Room | $80 | $86 |
| Jans Hut | $80 | Weekday: $85 Weekend*** & holiday: $100 |
| Kauri Cottage | $80 for 2 people Additional: $20 Min 2-night stay |
$84 for 2 people Additional: $21 Min 2-night stay |
| Kawhatau Base | $60 | $62 |
| Lighthouse Cottage | $65 | $65 per night 2-night min stay Friday/Saturday for December - April |
| Matai Bay Hut | $6 per bunk | No change |
| Mimiwhangata Cottage | Peak: $1,540 Shoulder: $630 Offpeak: $385 |
Peak: $1,617 Shoulder: $665 Offpeak: $413 |
| Mimiwhangata House | Peak: $1,540 Shoulder: $630 Offpeak: $385 Price for 7 nights |
Peak: $1,617 Shoulder: $665 Offpeak: $413 Price for 7 nights |
| Mimiwhangata Lodge | Peak: $2,044 Shoulder: $945 Offpeak: $525 |
Peak: $1,617 Shoulder: $665 Offpeak: $413 |
| Motuora Island Bach | $80 | Weekday: $85 Weekend & holiday: $100 |
| Nydia Lodge | $12 per bunk* Whole Lodge: $450 School rate: $265 |
$12 per bunk* Whole Lodge: $470 School rate: $330 |
| Okarito School House | $100 | $116 |
| Papatahi Hut | $100 | Weekday: $105 Weekend*** & holiday: $125 |
| Pohangina Base | $20 per bunk* | $25 per bunk* |
| Raukawa Hut | $135 | Weekday: $135 Weekend*** & holiday: $160 |
| Robson Lodge | $80 | Weekday: $90 Weekend: $108 |
| Sierra Room, Welcome Flat Hut | $100 | $110 |
| Stony Bay Bach | $90 Min 2-night stay |
Weekday: $90 for 2 people Weekend: $108 for 2 people Holiday: $108 for 2 people Additional: $20 Min 2-night stay |
| Te Kopi Cottage | $200 | $160 for 4 people Additional: $20 Min 2-night stay |
| Te Kopi Homestead | $200 | $160 for 4 people Additional: $20 Min 2-night stay |
| The Konini Lodge | Adult: $25 per bunk Child: $10 per bunk |
Adult: $27 per bunk Child: $13.50 per bunk |
| The Camphouse | Adult: $25 per bunk Child: $10 per bunk |
Adult: $27 per bunk Child: $13.50 per bunk |
| Tiritiri Matangi Bunkhouse | Adult: $30 Child: $20 per bunk |
Adult: $40 per bunk Child: $30 per bunk |
| Turere Lodge | $80 | Weekday: $85 Weekend*** & holiday: $100 |
| Waikawau Bay Lodge | Peak: $70 Offpeak: $60 2-night min stay |
No Change |
| Waikuku Lodge | $110 | $121 |
| Waiuta Lodge | Adult: $15 per bunk Child: $7.50 per bunk |
Adult: $16 per bunk Child: $8 per bunk |
| Whirinaki Recreation Camp | $30 | $33 Holiday price: $40 |
* Sole occupancy rooms with price based on number of bunks per room.
** Price for 7-nights.
*** Applies October – April.
| Property (bunk capacity) |
2019/20 price Price for two guests |
New price Price for two guests |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Cabin Double (6-7) | Weekday: $80 per night Weekend: $90 per night Additional adult: $22 Additional child: $17 |
Weekday: $86 per night Weekend: $96 per night Additional adult: $23 Additional child: $18 |
| Standard Cabin Single (4-6) | Weekday: $76 per night Weekend: $86 per night Additional adult: $22 Additional child: $17 |
Weekday: $81 per night Weekend: $91 per night Additional adult: $23 Additional child: $18 |
| Self Contained Cabin (4) | $130 per night Additional adult: $22 Additional child: $17 |
$139 per night Additional adult: $22 Additional child: $17 |
| Whole Lodge (32) | $475 per night | $508 per night |
| Lodge Private room (4) | $76 per night Additional adult: $20 Additional child: $18 |
No change |
| Backpacker Bed | $28 per bunk | $30 per bunk |
| Property (bunk capacity) |
2019/20 price for two guests | New price for two guests |
|---|---|---|
| Chalets (4) | $130 per night Additional adult: $25 Additional child: $15 |
$136 per night Additional adult: $26 Additional child: $16 |
| Chalets (5) | $140 per night Additional adult: $25 Additional child: $15 |
$147 per night Additional adult: $26 Additional child: $16 |
| Tourist Flats (2) | $140 per night | $147 per night |
| Family Unit (7) | $145 per night Additional adult: $25 Additional child: $15 |
$152 per night Additional adult: $26 Additional child: $16 |
| Bunk house (7) | $100 per night Additional adult: $25 Additional child: $10 |
$105 per night Additional adult: $26 Additional child: $11 |
| Cabin (2) | $80 per night | $84per night |
| Fisherman Cabin (5) | $65 per night Additional adult: $20 Additional child: $10 |
$68 per night Additional adult: $21 Additional child: $11 |
Price increase and changes to the Backcountry Hut Pass
DOC has increased the price of the Backcountry Hut Pass and factored in inflation (the price hasn’t changed in the last 10 years) and the increased value of the pass from allowing on-line purchase and use (for the 2021/22 booking year) and the changes to the exclusion list (off peak use on more huts and simplified exclusion list).
DOC reviewed and simplified the rationale for the exclusion list so that it’s now valid for all Serviced and Standard huts except those with ‘bespoke’ prices and allows the pass to be used for all huts, except Great Walks, off-peak.
The new pass pricing and exclusion list are outlined below.
| Backcountry Hut Pass | Adult | Youth |
|---|---|---|
| 12 month adult | $144 | $72 |
| 12 month discount | $100 | $50 |
| 6 month | $108 | $54 |
| YHA annual adult (discount) | $118 |
| Facility | Exclusion period |
|---|---|
| Pukeiti Forest Hut, Puketi and Omahuta forests | Summer |
| Peach Cove Hut | Summer |
| Pinnacles Hut | Summer |
| Brewster Hut | Summer (newly-excluded) |
| Liverpool Hut | Summer (newly-excluded) |
| Siberia Hut | Summer (newly-excluded) |
| Sandy Bay Hut | Year-round |
| Angelus Hut | Summer, Labour and Queen's Birthday weekends |
| Welcome Flat Hut | Summer |
| Godley Hut | Year-round |
| Siberia Hut | Summer |
| Esquilant Bivy Hut | Year-round |
| Abel Tasman Coast Track huts | Year-round |
| Heaphy Track huts | Year-round |
| Lake Waikaremoana huts | Year-round |
| Paparoa Track huts (except Ces Clark Hut) | Year-round |
| Rakiura Track huts | Year-round |
| Kepler Track huts | Summer |
| Milford Track huts | Summer |
| Routeburn Track huts | Summer |
| Tongariro Northern Circuit huts | Summer |
| Whanganui Journey huts | Summer |
| All Lake Waikaremoana huts | Year-round |
| All huts on the Greenstone-Caples*, Rees-Dart**, and Travers-Sabine Circuit*** | Summer (newly-excluded) |
| All Serviced-Alpine huts | Year-round |
| Coast Road Cabin | Year-round |
| Orongorongo Valley sole occupancy huts | Year-round |
| All accommodation on Matiu/Somes Island | Year-round |
| Te Kopi Cottage, Te Kopi Homestead and Waikuku Lodge (3), Aorangi Forest Park | Year-round |
| All private or club huts on DOC-managed land | Year-round |
| Rod Donald Hut | Year-round |
*Mid Caples Hut, McKellar Hut, and Greenstone Hut.
**Shelter Rock Hut, Dart Hut, and Daleys Flat Hut.
***Lakehead Hut, John Tait Hut, Upper Travers Hut, West Sabine Hut, Sabine Hut, Speargrass Hut, and Blue Lake Hut.
Huts no longer excluded from the Backcountry Hut Pass:
- Motukawanui Hut
- Lane Cove Hut
- Cape Brett Hut
- Kaiaraara Hut
- Mt Heale Hut
- Crosbies Hut