Downie Hut
The place
Historic timber hut in Nelson Lakes National Park (Nelson/Tasman, NZ), at 530 m. Second-oldest timber hut on DOC land in the Nelson/Marlborough region. Built by Charles Downie as a gold-prospecting base; contains graffiti dating from 1902. Later served as a mustering hut and deer hunters' hut in the 1940s-50s. One-room structure 4.2 x 3.7 m, vertical board cladding and pit-sawn beech battens, pit-sawn timber frame and floor, modern corrugated iron roof replacing the original split shingles. Free. Conserved in 1998 under a conservation plan, maintained as a historic tramping hut. Neighbours: Bobs Hut 6 h, East Matakitaki Hut 6 h. Dogs not permitted.
A bit of history
Built by Charles Downie as a gold-prospecting base; 1902 graffiti preserved. Used as a mustering hut and deer hunters' hut in the 1940s-50s. Conserved under an official plan in 1998.
