Big Hut

Rock and Pillar Range

At 4300 feet above sea level Big Hut is the highest habitation within the limits of Dunedin City.

In 1946 the Otago Ski Club opened a spacious 70-bunk ski lodge near the summit of the Rock and Pillar Range. This was a major undertaking. Some 30 tons of building materials were hauled by crawler tractor and trailer 3000 feet up the steep eastern face of the range. This was the era of post-World War II vision and voluntary labour that founded many of Otago's recreational facilities. This was the second of three huts that ski clubs built on the range.

For many years this 'Big Hut', as it became known, provided the venue for large weekend parties of enthusiasts who engaged in all forms of skiing - downhill, slalom, jumping, and langlauf. They climbed on foot to their ski grounds most weekends until finally the attractions of easier access and better downhill slopes on Coronet Peak became irresistible.

Since the demise of the Rock and Pillars as a club skiing venue in 1954 (there was a resurgence of interest 1958-65 at the 'Castle Rock' field) the hut fell into disuse and disrepair. However the Otago University Tramping Club, then the Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club, took over the hut in the 1980s and did repairs to keep the elements out.

Big Hut is a unique structure. It was built to withstand gale force winds and snow cover for several months of the year. It has withstood almost 60 years of alpine conditions and today provides welcome shelter and accommodation for year-round recreational activities - tramping, rock climbing, botanising, landscape photography, as well as cross-country skiing.

The hut resides within the recently created Rock and Pillar Conservation Area. There are several public access points available.

There is no comparable hut on Otago's many mountain range tops.
It is a unique part of New Zealand's recreation heritage.

Today Big Hut is owned by the Rock and Pillar Hut Trust - a charitable trust set up to restore the hut to its former glory and ensure its continuing availability to the public.

The hut provides an ideal base for exploring the natural and recreational wonders of the Rock and Pillar Range.

 

Location

Big Hut is located at 1300m or 4300ft asl, 1.2km SE of the Summit Rock.

 

Access

There are three principal means of reaching Big Hut - by foot, mountain bike, or 4WD, and three main routes.

Route 1
This climbs 3000 feet up the eastern face from Glencreag Station up a leading ridge south of Six Mile Creek. This is the most direct approach (foot only). Details

Route 2
This climbs 3000 feet up the eastern face on a vehicle track up a leading spur from Kilmory Station, south of Lug Creek (foot or mountain bike). Details

Route 3
This is a rough vehicle track from the Old Dunstan Road, northwards along the crest of the range (4WD, foot, mountain bike). Details

 

Safety

Safety is your responsibility. Before you depart leave your intentions with someone responsible.

Be appropriately clothed and equipped. Snow can be encountered at any time of the year. On the tops fog can roll in within seconds, causing disorientation. NEVER travel away from the hut without a means of navigation such as map and compass. GPS is a useful aid but should not be solely relied on. The tops are rolling and relatively featureless. Add whiteout, particularly in the winter, and there is good cause for this precautionary advice. People have been known to be within a few metres of the hut and not see it!

There is variable cell phone reception on the upper slopes of the range including from the hut.

The Trust advises that: "in the unlikely event of an emergency" the quickest escape is eastwards down the pole-line from the hut, then down a fence-line.

 

Hut Rules

Use by members of the public is subject to -

• the payment of hut fees, and
• recording visits in the hut book

Rules are posted inside the hut to ensure the protection of guests and the hut. The main risks are fire and snow entry. Please keep in mind at all times that this unique building is unlikely to be ever replaced if destroyed.

A voluntary hut warden may be in residence.

• Overnight accommodation is limited to 12 persons until fire escapes are installed, then up to 40.
• No bookings are required for casual individual use.
• Groups of six or more, or commercial or fund-raising ventures, are required to seek prior approval to use the hut (special rates may apply).
  Contacts: Alexandra: , Dunedin: ,

Hut Fees

$10 per night per person. Gold coin for day use.

It is planned to install a payment box, otherwise please post to -

Rock and Pillar Hut Trust
P O Box 127
Alexandra.

It is our object to keep fees as low as possible. This depends on everyone paying for their use. The future of the hut will be jeopardised if the Trust cannot fund compliance with DOC's maintenance standards (press release). The Trust is providing a public service without public funding.

What to bring

There is a tank water supply, kitchen, bunkroom (limited mattresses), a large common room, and an outside toilet. Bring your own sleeping gear (mat advisable), food, cooker, fuel, torch, and toilet paper.

Restoration Plan

The trust has commenced a three-year plan, to complete restoration in time for the 60th anniversary of the hut in February 2006.

Substantial work on weatherproofing the exterior, and internal repairs, was undertaken in the 2003/4 summer. This was funded by personal contributions by the trustees. All work has been voluntary. Fund raising is underway to permit completion of the remaining 2 years' programme.

The future

On completion of restoration, the hut will be ideally suited for use by organised groups. The large common room has the potential to be a venue for educational and environmental studies and for special events related to the outdoors.

The natural and settlement history of the Rock and Pillars, and of skiing and hut building in particular, will be displayed on information panels inside the hut. This will encourage public appreciation of the qualities of the range while adding to the distinctive visitor experience.

 

 Pamphlet (pdf 56 KB)
Access

Restoration Plan - Progress
Contributors

Deed of Trust - Rock & Pillar Hut Trust (pdf 528 KB)
Certificate of Incorporation (pdf 48 KB)
Trustees
Press release
Become a 'Friend of Big Hut'

Skiing and hut history *
The wonders of the Rock & Pillars

* in preparation

 

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This web site created 24 September 2004
Last update 29 October 2004

Rock and Pillar Hut Trust Inc., P O Box 127, Alexandra, New Zealand