Department of Conservation and Backcountry Trust collaborate to upgrade Trains Track Hut

Trains Hut in Waitōtara Conservation Area has been renovated in a collaboration between DoC and Backcountry Trust.

Waitōtara Conservation Area’s Trains Hut has received an upgrade as part of the Community Huts Programme.

The Community Huts Programme, a collaboration between the Department of Conservation (DoC) and the Backcountry Trust (BCT), supports volunteers to care for backcountry huts and tracks.

In January, the programme received a $4.2 million boost from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy.

Trains Hut is a 15km hike along the Trains Track which takes visitors through regenerating native forest, rugged ridgelines and across several swing bridges.

The Waitōtara Conservation Area, which is to the southwest of Whanganui National Park between Whanganui and Stratford, features native trees such as mature rimu, tōtara and northern rātā.

Project leader DoC ranger Rhydian Lewis said the collaboration with the Backcountry Trust allowed the six-bunk Trains Hut to receive work beyond the bare minimum.

“Working with the trust, we were able to go beyond basic maintenance and give Trains Hut the attention it deserved. These upgrades make a big difference, especially for those staying in tough weather conditions,” Lewis said.

“Alongside basic maintenance, a new wood burner has been installed, the deck extended and an L-shaped veranda constructed, all improving comfort and shelter for visitors.”

The renovations were completed in June with the help of a helicopter and a team of five.

The helicopter was needed to transport materials to the hut’s remote location.

Two huts on the Matemateonga Walkway in Whanganui National Park also received renovation work.

“When we get teams of passionate people from DoC and BCT together, we get through a lot of field work in a short amount of time,” Backcountry Trust manager Rob Brown said.

Lewis said the work done on Trains Hut was a collective effort which would be appreciated by visitors for years to come.

“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed their time, energy, and expertise to ensuring the hut will continue to serve the next generation of outdoor adventurers. DoC can’t do it alone.”