New facilities on the Milford Track
The Department of Conservation (DOC) have released some photos of the new 40 bunk Mintaro Hut II on the Milford Track. This $3.5 million complex replaces the 40 year old previous hut in a new and better location.
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| The new Mintaro Hut (2021), Milford Track, Fiordland |
The old Mintaro Hut was still perfectly usable although it did have some serious space issues as the track got busier over the years. The main reason they moved the hut was because the old one was right in the middle of a rock fall zone and it was only a matter of time before it caught a packet.
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| Old Mintaro Hut in the shadow of Mt Balloon |
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| The dining/living space at the old Mintaro Hut |
I think the landslip which hit Howdon Hut (Routeburn Track) in 2020 has really focused attention on those huts in potential hazard zones. People got hurt in that incident and it was just sheer bloody good luck that nobody was killed. DOC are responsible for the occupants of any hut under their administration. I wouldn't be surprised to see a few more at risk huts move or be replaced in the next decade or so...
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| One of the bunkrooms at the old Mintaro Hut |
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| The old Mintaro Hut site was cramped... |
The new hut has been moved to a much better location so it is now bathed in sun for much of the day and less likely to be hit by an avalanche or land slide. It is fully insulated and has double glazing and massive picture windows to maximise sunlight inside and views down the Clinton River Valley. My understanding is that it is lower down the valley and closer to Pompolona Hut. Looking at the new coordinates for the hut it appears to be on the other side of the Clinton River...
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| New Mintaro Hut, the spacious new living area... |
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| New Mintaro Hut has a wrap around veranda... |
It looks really nice and is due to be ready for the start of the 2021/2022 Great Walk season so anyone waking the Milford Track this year will be using it. The old Mintaro Hut will be disassembled over the coming summer and flown out to Te Anau for disposal.
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