Image: Andy Thompson | DOC
Packhorse Hut.
Packhorse Hut

Located in Banks Peninsula area and Christchurch area in the Canterbury region

This is a bookable serviced nine-bunk hut in the Christchurch and Banks Peninsula area. Easy access from the Kaituna Valley means this hut is suitable for small children and family groups.

This hut is in a low open saddle on the ridge between Mt Bradley and the Remarkable Dykes. It can be seen against the skyline from many parts of the reserve and the Lyttelton Harbour basin. From the hut there are sweeping views of the entire Lyttelton Harbour basin, including Lyttelton Harbour and the Port Hills opposite.

Packhorse Hut makes an excellent introduction to overnight tramping for families and youth groups. The hut is above 450 m in altitude and can get chilly at night, even in summer.

Facilities

  • Take a cookstove, sleeping bag and toilet paper if staying overnight. These are not provided.
  • Water is available from rain-fed water tanks which should be treated or boiled before drinking.
  • Non-flush toilets are available for hut users and day walkers.
  • A woodburner is available and firewood is supplied for use in the burner only.

Heritage

This hut was planned as part of a series of rest houses built by Harry Ell for a proposed summit route from Christchurch to Akaroa. These buildings were designed by Samuel Hurst Seager, one of the earliest architects to move away from historical styles and seek designs and plans with New Zealand character.

The hut is built of locally quarried volcanic stone with timber joinery – windows on three elevations – affording remarkable views of the Scenic Reserve, Mount Bradley, Lyttelton Harbour and the distant Southern Alps.

Fees

Hut fees

All hut users need to book via the DOC online booking system.

Sunday to Thursday

  • Adult (18+ years): $30 per night
  • Child/Youth (5-17 years): $15 per night
  • Infant (0-4 years): free

Friday and Saturday

  • Adult (18+ years): $35 per night
  • Child/youth (5–17 years): $17.50 per night
  • Infant: (0-4 years): free

Backcountry Hut Passes can be used at this hut. 

About hut tickets and passes | Retailers that sell hut tickets and passes

Fees to camp at the hut

Fees to camp at this hut are paid using hut tickets or a Backcountry Hut Pass or Campsite Pass.

  • Adult (18+ years): $10 per night
  • Youth (5–17 years): $5 per night
  • Child/Infant (0–4years): free

Before you go, buy 1 Standard Hut Ticket (blue for adults, red for youth) for each night's stay. Put this in the honesty box at the hut.

About hut tickets and passes | About campsite passes | Retailers that sell hut tickets and passes

Bookings

Bookings are open for stays up to 30 June 2026.

All bookings are first-come first-served. We do not have waiting lists for bookings for future seasons or facilities that are already booked-out.

Bookings are required all year to stay at the hut. Bookings are not required to camp at the hut.

Book Packhorse Hut online.

A $10 service fee applies to phone and in-person booking. This is a limited service – book online first. An in-person booking is dependent on there being space available.

Your hut booking is for any bunk bed, not for a specific bunk bed – select your bunk bed on arrival.

Tracks to this hut

Location

NZTopo50 map sheet: BX24
Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates: E1575199, N5161096

Te Ara Pātaka/Summit Walkway cannot be walked completely from end to end (Gebbies Pass to Hilltop) during lambing season.

All tracks cross private farmland, so keep on the marked tracks and respect the working operations on the farms. Leave gates as you find them, taking extra care in large groups. Do not touch farm animals where present including lambs and calves. Give all animals plenty of space.

It is strictly forbidden to take dogs on to private property without prior permission from the landowner.

Wasps

You may encounter wasps in the autumn and summer months (September to March). Take care and carry antihistamines/epi pen if allergic to wasps.

Mice in hut

There are mice present in this hut and their numbers increase during the warmer months of the year. We recommend you secure your food overnight to prevent mice from getting into it.