Hut bagging in Oteake Conservation Park

We met in Naseby and drove along Mt Buster Road until we arrived at a river crossing that I decided was too much for my small 2WD car. Soon we arrived at Little Kyeburn Huts, our first huts to bag! The huts didn’t look too bad, and I would sleep there. The only disadvantage is that they’re reachable by motorcycles and 4WDs, but that’s the same for all huts in the area. We continued along Little Kyeburn Track. Oh boy, it was so hot and pretty overgrown with gorse that I thought I might dry out like a slug on a motorway. Drinking a bottle of ginger beer before climbing up probably didn’t help either. Eventually, we arrived at Buster Hut. Very cute hut, but definitely not for two people—more like 1.5. We contemplated staying but opted to continue to Brown Hut and camp by Browns Creek.

The second day was quite long. The first mission was to bag Hut Creek Hut. It’s well hidden and pretty nice, but again, popular with engine-powered visitors, so we kept going along the 4WD track towards Tailings Hut. We met a big group of 4WD folks there who arrived, took out a barbecue, beers, and sausages, and within 30 minutes were feasting like lords. They probably felt sorry for us because they gave us some sausages. The wind was picking up, but we decided to plod on along Long Spur. It is, indeed, very long, but there are some huts along the way to bag, like Long Promise Hut or Blue Duck Creek Hut. We pitched our tents by Blue Duck Creek Hut, which was in very poor condition and almost impossible to stay in due to the amount of rubbish in it. Poor sight indeed.

On the third day, we walked out via Mt Buster and Kokonga Railway Hut. It’s quite an interesting area and a good option for hut baggers seeking shelter from bad weather from the west, but it’s certainly more suitable for fans of 4WDs and motorbikes.

Stats:

Day 1: 17km, 7h 30min, 800m ascent
Day 2: 30km, 11h 10min, 13000m ascent
Day 3: 13km, 3h 30min, 200m ascent

Participants: Michal Klajban, Kupkin

Tramped on 12-14th January 2024.

Photos

Maps

Day 1

Total distance: 17186 m
Max elevation: 1231 m
Min elevation: 577 m
Download file: GPX-hikingisgood-com-nz-2024-Otago-hutbagging-day1.gpx

Day 2

Total distance: 30891 m
Max elevation: 1475 m
Min elevation: 822 m
Download file: GPX-hikingisgood-com-nz-2024-Otago-hutbagging-day2.gpx

Day 3

Total distance: 12761 m
Max elevation: 1394 m
Min elevation: 577 m
Download file: GPX-hikingisgood-com-nz-2024-Otago-hutbagging-day3.gpx

About the Author

Michal
I lived a pretty ordinary life for a while. I did my studies, my second studies, my third studies, my first job, my second job, and my third job. I wasn’t really sure what’s going on so, in 2014, I left my home country (Czechia) to learn about the world. I’m still not sure what’s going on but I enjoy it much more. I lived in a few countries before settling in New Zealand.

Be the first to comment on "Hut bagging in Oteake Conservation Park"

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.