Zoo Hut in Isolated Hill Scenic Reserve is confirmed open to the public.

After a weekend hike to Isolated Hill Scenic Reserve in March, tramping mother and daughter duo Victoria and Emilie Bruce stopped by Zoo Hut.

Although listed on the Department of Conservation website as permanently closed as of March 27 this year, the hut was in excellent condition with an easy-to-follow track and a “steady stream” of recent entries in the hut book, Bruce said. 

Bruce contacted DOC, who confirmed the hut was closed.

However, when contacted by Wilderness in early May, DOC South Marlborough’s principal ranger Sarah Haughey said the hut is actually open to the public. “A web alert was erroneously added to the webpage earlier this year and is being removed,” she said.

The hut is right at the end of a thin sliver of conservation land that has private land on three sides. This has led to some reports of trespassing issues. “Anyone going to the hut is asked to ensure they stay on conservation land,” said Haughey. “It does not receive many visitors a year, but we know it’s valued by those who visit.”

Zoo Hut and Isolation Hut have been incorrectly marked as closed on topographical maps too, a hangover from when all huts in the wider area were closed following the Kaikōura earthquake. DOC will work with LINZ to remedy this.

Nearby Brian Boru Hut, Isolated Hill Bivvy and Napoleon Bivvy are DOC staff huts used for biodiversity work. They are not intended for public use.