Rod Donald Hut

About this hut

This hut is owned and maintained by the Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust.

It sits on a 10 ha private property of mainly regenerating native bush protected by a QEII covenant. It offers wonderful views over the Little River area and surrounding hills.

Facilities

• Verandah
• Lounge with stove for heating the hut – not suitable for cooking, firewood supplied
• Bunk room
• Solar lighting
• Tank water – should be boiled or treated before using
• Composting toilet

What to bring

• Cooking stove, pots, pans
• Sleeping bag
• Toilet paper

Heritage

The hut was originally built as a private cabin in the early 1990s. The Rod Donald Trust purchased it in 2014 and upgraded it to meet the DOC Serviced Hut standards, before formally opening it to the public in November 2015. At the opening ceremony local Kaumatua James Robinson from Wairewa lifted the tapu alongside Rod Donald's father, partner and daughters. Rod Donald had a deep love for Banks Peninsula and is buried at St Andrew's church near Little River, in the valley below the hut.

Facilities

Heating, Mattresses, Lighting, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply

Fees and bookings

Fees

1 May - 30 September

• Adult (18+ years): $25 per night
• Child/youth (5–17 years): $12.50 per night
• Infant (0–4 years): free

1 October - 30 April

Weekdays:

• Adult (18+ years): $28 per night
• Child/youth (5–17 years): $14 per night
• Infant (0–4 years): free

Weekends:

• Adult (18+ years): $32 per night
• Child/youth (5–17 years): $16 per night
• Infant (0–4 years): free

1 December - 29 February

Weekdays:

• Adult (18+ years): $29 per night
• Child/youth (5–17 years): $17.50 per night
• Infant (0–4 years): free

Weekends:

• Adult (18+ years): $34 per night
• Child/youth (5–17 years): $17 per night
• Infant (0–4 years): free

Backcountry Hut Passes and Backcountry Hut Tickets cannot be used at this hut. 

No camping

There is no camping at this Hut.

Bookings

Bookings are open for stays up to 30 June 2027.

• If no availability shows online for your dates, the hut is fully booked.
• No spaces are kept for visitors arriving without a booking.
• Phone and in‑person bookings made at a visitor centre incur a $10 service fee.
• Same‑day bookings are available online until 8 pm if spaces remain.

Your hut booking is for any bunk bed, not for a specific bunk bed – select your bunk bed on arrival. 

Trails

Rod Donald Hut can be accessed on the trail The Coffee Run from our trail directory.