A popular hut that commemorates three trampers who died in a landslide on the West Coast has been rebuilt.
The Kōhanga Atawhai - Manson Nicholls Hut has been rebuilt at Lake Daniell in the Maruia Valley. Photo: Supplied / DOC
The Manson-Nicholls Memorial Hut at Lake Daniell was first built in 1976 after the trampers were killed, and the fishing club hut was destroyed.
The Department of Conservation hut has been renamed Kōhanga Atawhai - Manson Nicholls Hut.
It has 20 bunks and a separate quarters for hut wardens. There are also camp sites and a cooking shelter outside for camping and day visitor use.
Māwhera / Greymouth operations manager Shane Hall said the walk was great for first time trampers and families, and had been popular for generations.
"The hut is north-facing for the sun, has a lake view, and is great for fishing or swimming with a shallow water edge, so the whole family is catered for.
The new hut has 20 bunks. Photo: |Supplied / DOC
"The hut has been built with input from the local Maruia School and with future accessibility in mind. For example, it has state of the art composting toilets attached to the hut by a boardwalk.
"As we gradually upgrade the track, we expect more and more people from the accessibility community will use this facility."
Hall said the surrounding bush was home to many native birds and the long-tailed bat.
"The area has had regular pest control for the last 20 years."
From this summer, the hut will be added to the DOC booking system and bookings will be required to secure a bunk.
