Sentry Box Hut (Historic)

About this hut

Facilities:

• Water source: River
• Heating source: Open fire

History of the hut

Sentry Box Hut is an historic hut with many of its original features still intact. It was built in April 1959 and is a good example of the wild animal control huts built during the New Zealand Forest Service era.

There have been three huts known as the Sentry Box, all built in close proximity to one another, nestled under the shelter of the limestone cliffs beside the Sentry Box Stream. The first was built in the 1880’s as a site from which a shepherd could keep the wild animals from the nearby station. This is the principal reason for the name Sentry Box Hut and the name was also applied to the nearby stream and peak. In the 1920’s the hut was moved to a warmer site slightly further up Sentry Box stream. It was burnt down in 1945.

The following year a government hunter salvaged the roofing iron and built a rough structure near the original site. This was also known as Sentry Box, but was known by other names as well. By 1958 this structure had fallen to ruin It was replaced in April 1959 by a new four bunk hut built by the NZFS, and retained the name Sentry Box.

Facilities

Heating, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply

Fees and bookings

Fees

• Adult (18+ years): $15 per night
• Youth (5–17 years): $7.50 per night
• Child/Infant (0–4 years): free

Before you go, buy Hut Tickets for each night's stay. Put these in the honesty box at the hut. Or buy a Backcountry Hut Pass that gives unlimited use at most Standard and Serviced huts for a 12 month period.