McKellar Hut in Wakatipu’s Greenstone Valley will be unavailable to the public from until the end of September because of major reconstruction work.

DOC is extending the hut from 12 bunks to 24 bunks and the toilets and warden’s living quarters are also being upgraded.

DOC project manager Richard Struthers said the current hut is an old forestry installation built in the mid 80s and has “worn out”.

The improvements, budgeted at $500,000, will also include a new covered outdoor area which will make it easier to store wet gear.

A new toilet block with flush toilets and waste water disposal will be installed.

“The hut currently has unpleasant pit toilets that are way under quality for the track’s level of use,” Struthers said.

The adjacent camping area and toilets will be unaffected by the construction works, and will be available for use throughout the period the hut is closed.

The McKellar Hut is in the upper Greenstone Valley, at a major crossing point between the Greenstone, Caples and Routeburn tracks.