Huts
Butler Junction Hut (DOC): An eight-bunk hut, woodburner
Whymper Hut (DOC): A six-bunk hut
Stans Hut (community maintained): A four-bunk hut in upper Reynolds Creek
Top Butler Hut (DOC): A six-bunk hut
Nolans Hut (DOC): A historic, basic four-bunk hut in the Perth Valley just beyond Hughes Creek.
Beware of mosquitoes here.
Scone Hut (DOC): A six-bunk hut at the junction of the Perth River and Scone Creek
Road to Whymper Hut
From State Highway 6, follow a gravel road on the true left of the Whataroa River for 1 km to a carpark, DOC sign, and the start of foot access up the valley. The marked access crosses private land and Dave and Bernadette Friend can be contacted for permission (phone 03 753 4091). A rough but regularly maintained track leads up the Whataroa to Butler Junction Hut and then on to Whymper Hut, with breaks on the river stones at Reynolds and Scotts Beaches, and Barrowman Flat. The bridge onto the Gunn Range opposite Jacks Creek has been removed, but bridges cross the Whataroa above the Perth Junction, just below the Butler Junction, and just above Rocky Creek. A bridge also crosses the Butler River near its junction with the Whataroa. If an overnight break is required between Butler Junction Hut and Whymper Hut, there is a reasonable campsite on the true left of Rocky Creek, near the track about 100 metres before the bridge over the Whataroa.
Times: Road to the Perth–Whataroa track junction, 2 hrs; Perth–Whataroa track junction to Butler Junction, 5 ½ hrs; Butler Junction to Whymper Hut, 4 hrs.
Whataroa River to Lake Barrowman
Originally named in 1937 by Apperley, Sweney and Barrowman as Lake Mannering, this lake can be approached easily up a gravel stream bed from glacial flats in the head of the Whataroa, below the Whymper Glacier. There is good camping at the lake outlet.
More useful information at http://remotehuts.co.nz/