Rod Donald Hut
Located in Banks Peninsula area and Christchurch area in the Canterbury region
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Introduction
This is a serviced nine-bunk hut in the Christchurch and Banks Peninsula area.Facilities
- Heating
- Lighting
- Mattresses
- Toilets - non-flush
- Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
Seasonal restrictions
Rod Donald Hut is on the Te Ara Pātaka Walkway. The Port Levy to Rod Donald Hut and Hilltop to Rod Donald Hut track sections are open during lambing (1 September – 25 October).
Leave gates as found, do not handle livestock and give them space.
Image gallery
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Bunk room in Rod Donald Hut Image: | DOC
![Bunk room in Rod Donald Hut.]( "Bunk room in Rod Donald Hut.")
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Dining area in Rod Donald Hut Image: Jonathan Moake ©
![Dining area in Rod Donald Hut.]( "Dining area in Rod Donald Hut.")
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View from Rod Donald Hut Image: Jonathan Moake ©
![View from Rod Donald Hut.]( "View from Rod Donald Hut.")
This hut is owned and maintained by the Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust.
It sits on a 10 ha private property of mainly regenerating native bush protected by a QEII covenant. It offers wonderful views over the Little River area and surrounding hills.
Facilities
- Verandah
- Lounge with stove for heating the hut – not suitable for cooking, firewood supplied
- Bunk room
- Solar lighting
- Tank water – should be boiled or treated before using
- Composting toilet
What to bring
- Cooking stove, pots, pans
- Sleeping bag
- Toilet paper
Heritage
The hut was originally built as a private cabin in the early 1990s. The Rod Donald Trust purchased it in 2014 and upgraded it to meet the DOC Serviced Hut standards, before formally opening it to the public in November 2015. At the opening ceremony local Kaumatua James Robinson from Wairewa lifted the tapu alongside Rod Donald's father, partner and daughters. Rod Donald had a deep love for Banks Peninsula and is buried at St Andrew's church near Little River, in the valley below the hut.
Fees
Sunday to Thursday
- Adult (18+ years): $25 per night
- Child/Youth (5-17 years): $12.50 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 and Backcountry Hut Tickets cannot be used at this hut.
Bookings
Bookings are open for stays up to 30 June 2025.
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.
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.
The hut is a 50 minute walk from Port Levy Saddle via the Te Ara Pātaka track. Port Levy Saddle can be accessed either from the car park at the top of the Western Valley Road from Little River, or via the Te Ara Pātaka track from Montgomery Scenic Reserve.
Tracks to this hut
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Port Levy Saddle to Rod Donald Hut
Located in Banks Peninsula areaThis track will will take through beautiful old growth tōtara forest at Waipuna Saddle and on to Rod Donald Hut which you can book for an overnight stay or visit as a day walk.Duration 50 minDifficulty Intermediate -
Rod Donald Hut to Hilltop Hotel
Located in Banks Peninsula areaWalk or mountain bike the track from Rod Donald Hut to Hilltop Hotel. Walkers will pass through Montgomery Park Scenic Reserve.Duration 6 hrDifficulty Intermediate -
Te Ara Pātaka/Summit Walkway
Located in Banks Peninsula area and Christchurch areaEnjoy magnificent views over Banks Peninsula, the Canterbury plains, Southern Alps and Pacific Ocean on this track, which is about an hour's drive from Christchurch.1 alertDuration 2-3 daysDifficulty Intermediate, Advanced
Location
NZTopo50 map sheet: BX24
Grid/NZTM20000 coordinates; E1583679, N5159155
Te Ara Pātaka/Summit Walkway cannot be walked completely from end to end (Gebbies Pass to Hilltop) during lambing season.
Camping: There isn't any flat ground around the hut to camp on.
Rubbish facilities are not provided – take all your rubbish, including nappies, out with you.
There is no vehicle access to the hut under any circumstances. To enquire about taking youth or conservation groups to the hut contact the Rod Donald Trust: manager@roddonaldtrust.co.nz
Contacts
| Arthur's Pass National Park Visitor Centre | |
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| Phone | +64 3 318 9211 |
| arthurspassvc@doc.govt.nz | |
| Address | 104 West Coast Road Arthur's Pass 7654 |
| Hours | Visitor centre hours and services |