Waiau Hut: St James Conservation Area

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Introduction

This is a standard 6-bunk hut in the St James Conservation Area.

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Bookings

Bookings not required - first come, first served

Facilities

6 bunk beds

Seasonal restrictions

This hut is on the Te Araroa Trail and can be busy over summer.

Motorised access over Maling Pass is closed during the winter, if the track is wet or there is high fire danger.

There is usually snow in St James Conservation Area over winter.

About this hut

Waiau Hut is in a sheltered clearing on the Waiau River.

It was designed to accommodate extra demand from trampers on the Te Araroa Trail and was made possible by the support of a generous benefactor.

Fees and bookings

Fees

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

Before you go, buy 1 Standard Hut Ticket (blue for adults, yellow for youth) for each night's stay. Put this in the honesty box at the hut. Or buy a Backcountry Hut Pass that gives unlimited use at most Standard and Serviced huts for a 12 month period.

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

Te Araroa – The Trail Pass

Te Araroa Trail walkers should register and purchase the Te Araroa Trail Pass.

Getting there

The hut is on Waiau Pass Track, which connects Nelson Lakes National Park and St James Conservation Area.

Nearest hut and access point

Blue Lake Hut: 10 to 12 hrs via Lewis Pass – Waiau Pass – Blue Lake Route
Waiau River: 2 hrs. Waiua River can be accessed via the Maling Pass 4WD track.

Find out about motorised vehicle access.

Tracks to this hut

Waiau Pass Route (Blue Lake Route to Lewis Pass)
Located in Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve and St James Conservation AreaWaiau Pass Route is a very technical alpine crossing, suitable for highly experienced parties only. It links Lewis Pass and Nelson Lakes National Park. This track is part of Te Araroa Trail.
Duration: 8-10 days for full trip
Difficulty: Expert

Location

NZTopo50 map sheet: BT24
Grid/NZTM 2000 coordinates: E1572023, N5330158

Know before you go

Keep alpine lakes and tarns free of lindavia (lake snow)

The invasive alga lindavia is present in Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa. It causes lake snow – a sticky mucus that hangs below the surface of the water.

Make sure all your gear is completely dry for 48 hours before swimming or taking water from any alpine lake or tarn, including Rotomaninitua/Lake Angelus.

Use a biosecurity cleaning station at Coldwater Hut, Lakehead Hut and Sabine Hut to disinfect any boots, socks, clothing, towels or drink bottles that are wet or damp from lake or river water.

Do not touch the water in Rotomairewhenua/Blue Lake and Rotopōhueroa/Lake Constance.

Be extra careful if you’ve recently swum or filled a drink bottle from Lakes Rotoiti or Rotoroa.

More ways to stop the spread

Waiau Hut

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