Cupola Hut, Nelson Lakes National Park

My first visit to Cupola Hut was one winter when the snow was so deep we had to dig our way inside. A shovel mounted above the hut’s door is there for a good reason. So when I returned, again in winter, my memories were of a very cold spot. This second time though, there was no snow to dig and a potbelly stove had been installed.

The hut was built in 1957 as a base for scientific research. There are eight bunks and one quite unusual feature is sliding windows at the north-west corner. From here, you can gaze out from the comfort of your sleeping bag on the top bunk, while breathing in fresh mountain air. The windows were installed so researchers could observe the birdlife. 

The hut is situated just below the tree line, amongst beautiful beech forest, and the view to the south face of Mt Hopeless, with its intimidatingly exposed couloir route to the summit, is spectacular. 

Just a minute’s climbing above the hut and you’re on a rolling tussock shelf with views of peaks above from north to south when looking west; and more open vistas down Cupola Creek to the St Arnaud Range when looking east. 

For climbers, Cupola Hut gives ideal access to Mt Cupola and Mt Hopeless, as well as several high points along the craggy ridge running between those two well-known peaks.