Key facts
- Fact 01
A standard DOC backcountry hut ticket costs $15 per adult, per night.
- Fact 02
An electronic hut ticket does not reserve a bunk: non-bookable DOC huts are first come, first served.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) said on Wednesday 4 November 2026 that tickets for its non-bookable backcountry huts can now be bought online. We read DOC's media release on 6 November, and the details below come from it. If you are planning an overnight tramp from Queenstown, Wānaka or Te Anau, you no longer need to find a DOC visitor centre or retailer selling paper tickets before you head away.
To buy one, you choose the hut you plan to stay at and the date of your stay, then pay online. A standard hut ticket stays at $15 per adult, per night. DOC emails a confirmation, and you can download the ticket, save a screenshot, print a copy or note the confirmation number to show as proof of payment if asked. You do not need mobile coverage at the hut, as long as you saved those details before you left.
The ticket does not reserve a bunk. DOC says non-bookable huts will keep working on a first come, first served basis. If you arrive and the hut is full, or weather or safety conditions change your plans, your ticket for that date can be used at another non-bookable hut. DOC asks trampers to plan ahead, check conditions and carry suitable equipment, including alternative shelter where needed.
The Backcountry Hut Pass changed on 1 November. It now covers the same non-bookable huts that accept electronic tickets and no longer includes bookable huts, and the annual price has dropped from $160 to $140. Paper Backcountry Hut Tickets you already own can still be used until 1 November 2027, while retail sales of paper tickets are phased out. DOC huts remain available as emergency shelter to anyone who needs them, whether or not they have paid.
DOC's advice is to check its website before you go, so you know whether your hut needs a booked bunk or a hut ticket. For ideas on where to walk, our quiet trails guide and our Te Anau guide cover the region's tracks and the towns you will start from.
Questions visitors are asking
How do I buy a DOC backcountry hut ticket online?
You choose the non-bookable hut you plan to stay at and the date of your stay, then pay online. DOC emails a confirmation that you can download, screenshot, print or note as a number. Trampers heading out from Queenstown, Wānaka or Te Anau no longer need to find a paper ticket seller first.
Does an online DOC hut ticket guarantee me a bunk?
No. DOC says the ticket is only proof that you have paid, and non-bookable huts stay first come, first served. If the hut is full, or weather or safety changes your plans, the ticket for that date works at another non-bookable hut, so DOC advises carrying alternative shelter on a Queenstown or Fiordland tramp.
How much does the DOC Backcountry Hut Pass cost now?
The annual Backcountry Hut Pass dropped from $160 to $140 on 1 November 2026. It now covers only the non-bookable huts that accept electronic tickets, not bookable huts. DOC says it suits regular trampers, so check which huts it covers before setting off on a Queenstown or Wānaka backcountry trip.
Can I still use my paper DOC hut tickets?
Yes. Paper Backcountry Hut Tickets you already own can be used during a 12 month transition period, until 1 November 2027, while retail sales of paper tickets are phased out. If you cannot buy online, DOC says someone can buy a ticket for you, or a DOC visitor centre can help.