Blue Lake Hut

The place

DOC "serviced" hut with 16 bunks at 1,190 m in Nelson Lakes National Park (Nelson/Tasman, NZ). Rates: adults $25/night, youth 5-17 $12.50, under 4 free; camping $10/5/0. Online booking mandatory until 30 June 2027, same-day until 8 pm, no spaces held for walk-ins. Access is "deep in the backcountry": minimum 2 days' walk. Fastest route: water taxi from Lake Rotoroa Jetty to Sabine Hut, then 8 h 30 via West Sabine Hut. Cultural restriction: the lakes are tapu (sacred) to the Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō iwi. Do not touch the water, no swimming, no washing, no contact with equipment.