Image: DOC
George Lyon Hut
George Lyon Hut

Located in Nelson Lakes National Park in the Nelson/Tasman region

This is a standard 16-bunk hut in the Nelson Lakes area.

Built in 1973, George Lyon Hut was formerly known as Ella Hut.

As the first Nelson Lakes National Park chief ranger (1959-80), George Lyon was the forefront of environmental education, promoting outdoor education and conservation. He was also one of the first people to encourage work with community members and volunteers.

He guided the development of the first recreation facilities for the Park, including 11 backcountry huts.

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

Times from nearest huts:

Location

NZTopo50 map sheet: BS24
Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates: E1567315, N5344932

Altitude: 660m above sea level

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