Lees Creek Hut

The place

Standard DOC 4-bunk hut in the Upper Wairau River area (Nelson/Tasman), at 1,010 m of altitude. Formerly named Sandfly Creek Hut, helicoptered onto the site in 1993. Access: 8.4 km east of St Arnaud towards Blenheim, then the Wairau-Hanmer Springs Hydro Rd (signposted for Rainbow Skifield), 27 km to the Homestead (cash toll). From the car park, an 8.7 km track crossing the Wairau via a swing bridge, then following Lee's Creek through bush and small clearings. No booking: Standard Hut Ticket in the honesty box, NZ$10/5 adult/youth until 30 June 2026. Caution: the creek can dry up in summer (look for water further downstream) and recent storm damage on some sections of the track.