First night: Station Huts
The far hut was the first building erected on the farm known as
‘Choubra’ by Mr Jack Galwey in the early 1900s. Once the homestead
was built it was used as a single man’s accommodation for a few years,
then as it fell in to dis-repair it was used as a store-room. In 2010 it was
painted, repaired and re-lined inside with macrocarpa, back to it’s
original sound condition.
The near hut was built in the 1950’s as a single man’s hut and used as
such for a number of years, it too received a ‘facelift’ in 2010 to
become usable again.
A comfortable start!
Second night: Pleasant Gully Hut
Built in approx. 1900, it was the shepherds 'base' hut in early farming
days on the station. By 2000 the inside had completely deteriorated due
to borer, bird and possum damage. The outside corrugated iron was
removed, and the inside completely rebuilt and re-lined with Oregon
timber. Still to this day, this hut remains an essential accommodation
base for shepherds at tailing (docking) and calf marking.
Cosy and quaint!
Third night: Sutherland's Hut
Built in 1866 out of local river stone and felled timbers, with a thatched
roof and earthen floor. The thatched roof was replaced with corrugated
iron, and a wooden floor built in the early 1900’s. In 2001 the damaged
chimney and collapsed north end were resurrected and re-plastered, and
the inside lined with timber for warmth.
Sutherland’s Hut is New Zealand’s oldest surviving hut, having stood
the test of time remarkably well.
An historic gem!
Fourth night: Devil's Creek Hut
Originally built out of timber in the 1870s, it was a small 'pokey' hut,
and was unintentionally burnt down late 1930's. It was rebuilt soon
after and made slightly larger, the timber and iron were 'packed out' by
horse from the homestead. In 2005 it was completely re-lined and
extended and is now the largest of the 3 huts.
Five star luxury!
