Westies Hut: South Coast Track Fiordland NZ

We have just returned from this magical place four days walk along the South Coast Track from Tuatapere, Fiordland NZ where we stayed in this wonderful hut nestled in a sea cave at the Western end of Price’s Harbour at the far end of the fabulous ‘South Coast Track’:

Westies Hut

This is the first view you have of Price’s Harbour from the track. The topo map and GPS incorrectly locates the Westies cave and hut at the eastern end of the harbour in the cave marked with a white arrow on the rocks. Ignore this. Follow the track to the track junction (.5 hour) and take the left fork, marked with square orange reflectors instead of the usual triangular ones you have been following up to now.

Westies Hut

The hut (cave) is in the opposite (Western) side of the Western end (below) of Price’s Harbour.

Westies Hut

The turn off (below) is impossible to miss:

Westies Hut

Gazing down at the beach in Price’s Harbour – nary a footprint there:

Westies Hut

First view of the vista to the West of Price’s Harbour. ‘Victoria’s ‘Twelve Apostles’, eat your heart out!

Westies Hut

First view of Westies Cave; the two huts are snuggled down in there:

Westies Hut

First view of Westies hut(s):

Westies Hut

Westies main hut (where he lived for a number of years) is nestled just inside the cave mouth with a splendid view out to sea:

Westies Hut

View from the toilet:

Westies Hut

I will add this to my list of interesting toilets:

Westies Hut

The cave has a second (western) entrance. This is the splendid view from it:

Westies Hut

And with me being a blot on the landscape:

Westies Hut

And this a few steps further along:

Westies Hut

Looking back East towards the main cave:

Westies Hut

You had to descend dizzying cliffs through the jungle to get down here:

Westies Hut

Like this:

Westies Hut

My (hand) specialist was doubtful why I asked whether my new knuckles would be strong enough to climb a rope:”

Westies Hut

To the East one cave leads to a little beach or another cave. There is a veritable maze of wonderful sea caves:

Westies Hut

So many:

Westies Hut

With delightful glimpses through them:

Westies Hut

They frame beautiful landscapes:

Westies Hut

You can just walk through from one to the other:

Westies Hut

Again and again:

Westies Hut

Until you’re not sure which way is back:

Westies Hut

A worry if the sea is rising:

Westies Hut

Another outstanding feature of Price’s Harbour are the awesome stone monoliths:

Westies Hut

They are so enchanting:

Westies Hut

Some come with their own mermaids/sirens (wrapped well against sandflies):

Westies Hut

Finally you look out East towards the other headland of Price’s Harbour – the one the GPS wrongly thinks the hut is in:

Westies Hut

The main cave is very large. The huts have seven berths (a double in the main hut) and five bunks in the second hut. There is ample room on the floor to sleep a few people more. Outside a veritable army could camp.

Westies Hut

There is a ‘chip’ water heater and a hot shower:

Westies Hut

Inside the main hut is friendly and cosy. Four could easily sit around the table. There is a two seater lounge, a double bed, a pot belly stove, sink (with water), a couple of windows with splendid views out to sea. What a home it is.

Westies Hut

The bunk house:

Westies Hut

Above the hut is the water supply: a small stream (you might need to clean out the filter, and a rain catchment roof for the ‘dry season’. There are carefully printed instructions about how to operate the plumbing. This is the first thing you see when you arrive. Follow the hose to the cave. Deer walk along the beach and from cave to cave. There are crayfish and paua (abalone) in abundance. Blue cod can be caught easily from the rocks. Paradise!

Westies Hut

This was our last view of Westies. What a view! What a wonderful place it was!

Westies Hut

See also:

https://www.theultralighthiker.com/2018/01/17/south-coast-track-fiordland-nz-waitutu-to-westies/

https://www.theultralighthiker.com/2018/07/29/nzs-south-coast-track-westies-hut-to-cromarty/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/dusky-south-coast-tracks/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/fiordland-2014-2/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/a-walk-in-fiordland/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/bucket-list-westies-hut/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/fiordland-wairaurahiri-to-rarakau/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/fiordland-wairaurahiri-to-waitutu-part-4/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/westies-hut-topo-map-errors/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/waitutu-forest-fiordland-warm-air-pockets/

 

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6 thoughts on “Westies Hut: South Coast Track Fiordland NZ”

  1. Went out here when i was 8 with westy, well before the bunkhouse was built and there was a coal range instead of a pot belly. haven’t gone back in 30 or so years, i imagine its easier to find now there’s a track and everything.

    1. Wow, what an adventure Traviss. Yes, it is quite easy to find – and well maintained last time I was there. You should try going again. Now that covid is over we intend to, probably next year now. Cheers, Steve.

      1. Just got back from a month along the south coast, spent 2 weeks at westies, its still well maintained, took the coast on the way back for an easier walk on the knees, but overall was great to get back out there

        1. Hi Traviss, We are fill of envy. Where did you start/finish your coast route? Precise exit/entry points would be appreciated by future travelers including ourselves I’m sure. For example, did you walk the coast only between the Waitutu and Westies or also between the Waitutu and the Wairaurahiri? Did you find the Grant Burn Hut still in place? Interested to know how wet it is at the moment as we hope to be there early February. Cheers, Steve.

          1. sorry for the late response, life is busy.

            I on the way back i dropped down to the coast at the Aan river and walked a fair way back to the waitutu before cutting back up through the bush (high tide caught me) i re entered at the deep river they haven’t put a walkway over yet (the deep one you hit early on the way to westies), its an easy walk along the coast as long as you know the tides, if you time it right you can go between both with little more than a wet foot, though there are a few slick clay deposits and one part is small rocks so its can be slippery if wet. cuts 3-4 hours off the walk.

            It rained for four days, so on the way back to wairaurahiri i just took the track, but it is possible to take the coast that way too, ended up staying there a week and catching the boat out.
            Will be making another trip there soon, family wants to spread Westies ashes up there.

          2. I wish we were there too Travis. We intended to in February but the boats weren’t running, so it will have to be another year for us. Pete Baldwin made a path from the Waitutu Lodge to the Crombie which was quicker than the main track and an interesting diversion. It looked to me as if you could also walk along the coast at least all the way to the Angus Burn or Long Point. I also find it endearing that you are returning Westie’s ashes to a place which meant so much to him. Have a great second trip. We are envious. Cheers, Steve & Della.

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