Historic Huts: Jacks Hut in Arthurs Pass NP

Historic Jacks Hut...

When Karen and I were in Arthurs Pass we went and visited Jacks Hut on State Highway 73 mid way between Arthurs Pass and Arthurs Pass Village. The hut has occupied its current location since the 1910's but it was originally a Roadman's hut located elsewhere. 

Jacks Hut in Arthurs Pass National Park

Over the years it has served as a Roadman's hut, emergency shelter, research hut, artist retreat, personal crib/bach and is now a historic hut in the conservation estate.

A potted history of Jacks Hut:

  The hut was built in 1879 and was originally located near Rough Creek and was used by the Roadmen who maintained the stage coach route over Arthurs Pass. Roadmen each had a 10 mile stretch of road to maintain from Springfield to Jackson on the Taramakau River. 

Information panel about the roadmen in Jacks Hut

The men spent their time clearing the road, fixing potholes and maintaining the bridges. Their tools were the pick, axe, shovel and wheel barrow and the job was hard, lonely and dangerous. Life would have been tough especially during the brutal winters you can get in this alpine environment. 

Jacks Hut in its original location at Rough Creek

There are similar original roadman huts at Porters Pass, Castle Rock Station and near Cass but all the others have been removed over the years. The roadmen plied their trade right up to the 1930's when the role was taken over by heavy machinery based in Springfield, Arthurs Pass and Otira. 

Porters Pass Roadman's Hut...SH 73 near the Kowhai River

In the early 1900's the hut was briefly used as an emergency shelter before passing into private hands. It was moved to its current location in 1910 and was used as a personal bach/crib/mountain retreat from that time onwards.

There used to be a small shed next to Jacks Hut

The last owners of the bach were the Butler family who owned it from the 1920's right up to the early 2000's. They used the hut as a holiday home and as a permanent residence over that time. 

Information about the past owners of Jacks Hut

 FYI...there is a worthwhile book about Jack's Hut written by the daughter of Grace and Guy Butler. It is simply called Jack's Hut and was written and published in 1968 by Grace Butler Adams. I have a copy in my personal library and it is an excellent read...

Jack's Hut by Grace Butler Adams

When the last of the original Butler family (Grace Butler Adams) passed away in the early 2000's the hut was donated to the people of New Zealand and incorporated into the Department of Conservation estate.

Mt Rolleston from Jacks Hut

Wider view of Mt Rolleston from Jacks Hut

The hut was restored in the 2004 by DOC and the Historic Places Trust and will now be maintained in perpetuity as a historic hut. 

Approaching Jacks Hut...

Jacks Hut sits on the Arthurs Pass Walking Track and this is one of the main ways people will approach the hut. The Walking Track goes right past the hut as it bisects SH73 mid way between the Village and Arthurs Pass. If you are walking uphill it appears through the forest as you wind down to cross the highway. 

View of Jacks Hut from the Arthurs Pass Walking Track

If you are heading downhill towards the village it is clearly visible as you cross SH73 between the Bealey River side of the Walking Track and the section down to the Bealey River footbridge. 

Jacks Hut as seen from the Bealey Chasm side of SH73

You can also park at the Bealey Valley Track carpark and walk across the road to investigate the hut. The carpark is the starting point for the upper section of the Arthurs Pass Walking Track and the side track to the Bealey Valley Track and Bealey Chasm start near here. 

Bealey Valley Track carpark on SH73...Arthurs Pass NP

The hut is set slightly back from the road and is surrounded on three sides by thick Beech forest. To the front is a flat area of grass down to the edge of the road. The hut has been painted many colors over the years but has been in an attractive green/white livery for the last 20 odd years. 

Front of Jacks Hut from SH73 in Arthurs Pass NP

Jacks Hut is permanently locked to prevent vandalism

The hut consists of an enclosed porch/veranda/sunroom at the front with a large central living space, two bunkrooms, a kitchen and mudroom behind. Back when it was used as a personal bach it could hold up to eight people in some what cramped conditions. 

..Jacks Hut is clad in good olde corrugated iron...

Jacks Hut: the kitchen is at the back of the hut

Jacks Hut...the western side of the hut

When the hut was used as a bach it had a toilet to the rear and a water from a nearby stream but both were removed when the hut passed back into DOC control as they were not part of the original design. I remember a small shed to the eastern side of the hut used to house cars, tools and wood etc. and this was also removed when the hut was restored. 

Jacks Hut is part of the conservation estate

The interior of the hut as seen through through the windows is very Spartan...it was a wood lined building with a low vaulted ceiling. There is a centrally located fireplace on the eastern side of the hut which provided heat for the whole building. I remember there being furniture in the hut when it was still owned by the Butler family and it was only removed when it was renovated in the 2010's.

Jacks Hut: interior of the hut....front room

There are now a series of information panels in the veranda at the front of the hut which explains the whole history of the hut. While the hut is locked you can get an idea of how it was used by peering in the windows and you can see what an excellent job DOC did when they restored it. 

Interpretative panel inside Jacks Hut 

I would have first visited the hut in my primary school days as most of the schools in Christchurch used to bring classes up here to experience a National Park. I have visited the hut many times since then and I think I have probably been to the hut over 30 times making it my most visited backcountry hut in New Zealand. 

Jacks Hut...long may it exist!!!

Jacks Hut is an important part of the history of early transportation, settlement and outdoor pursuits in  Arthurs Pass. Here's hoping it will continue to intrigue passers by for many years to come. 

Access: Jacks Hut is located on the east side of SH73, about 5 km towards the West Coast from Arthurs Pass Village. It is on the route of the Arthurs Pass Walking Track which passes right by the front of the hut. 

Hut details: Jack's Hut, Historic, locked and no stay allowed

Miscellaneous: There is a car park on the opposite side of the highway accessible from the hut. The route to the Bealey Valley Track starts on the far side of SH73.