With a promising weather window, we made our rendezvous at the Havelock Bakery. Warm coffees and hugs were enjoyed. We continued on, driving the full length of Northbank Road as the sealed surface became a gravel 4WD track, dipping into several fords. One of these stopped the Toyota, but I persisted for another 4km in the Honda, which had better clearance.

Rod reminded me that if we drove any further, then there would be nothing left to tramp. So I parked up, and we donned our packs. Half an hour through the regenerating ti-tree, we reached the official carpark, where a vehicle proudly shouted out “F*#@ 1080” from the rear window. Thus, we were prepared to share the hut with some outspoken hunters.

In less than two hours we reached the large riverside clearing, where Lower Goulter Hut was vacant; thankfully, the pair of hunters had scooted up to Mid-Goulter Hut. With a free afternoon, my party wandered up-valley, enjoying the sunshine and pristine river. I used the handsaw to cut firewood. The evening was spent huddled around the woodstove, sharing stories.

Marie woke me with a cuppa, and we made an alpine start at 10am. A detour down to the river proved a worthwhile place to eat lunch. The return journey was uneventful, and we reconvened at a small, vintage café in Havelock.

In summary, this remote 8-berth valley hut was surprisingly well-used, and in excellent condition. It’s popular with anglers, hunters and sandflies. We were lucky that we only had to share the hut with sandflies. In its current condition, the entire road could be navigated by two-wheel vehicles with good ground clearance. From the 4WD carpark, the hut is only an easy 45-minute walk; it’s a great destination for a weekend away in the Hills.

Trampers were: Rod & Carole-Anne Lewis, Uta Purcell, Marie Lenting, Madeleine Rohrer & Ray Salisbury (scribe).