Liverpool Hut | Your Ultimate Guide To An Epic Hike Near Wanaka

The Matukituki Valley in Mount Aspiring National Park is our all-time favourite destination in New Zealand. Located just an hour northwest of Wanaka, this magical mountainous valley beckons adventurers with a myriad of hiking trails – and one you must not miss is Liverpool Hut!

Liverpool Hut will test your climbing skills and your head for heights. But all is a thousand times worth it once you’re standing on the deck of the little red alpine hut, looking out over the valley sculpted by glaciers, with Mount Aspiring peaking out above the imposing peaks in the distance.

Over several visits, we’ve completed almost all the main hiking trails in the Matukituki Valley. For experienced hikers, our suggestion would be to kick off your hiking journey with the Liverpool Hut track. It serves as an excellent starting point before you tackle more challenging trails such as Cascade Saddle or Shotover Saddle.

In this post, we’ll explain everything you need to know about hiking to Liverpool Hut. We’ve included in-depth details on logistics, how to book Liverpool Hut and the best time to visit Liverpool Hut. You’ll also find info on what to expect on the trail, with loads of inspiring images to get you pumped for your adventure!

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What To Know About Hiking To Liverpool Hut In Mt Aspiring National Park

Where Does The Liverpool Hut Track Start?

Liverpool Hut is situated on a grassy slope in the alpine above the meandering Matukituki River in Mt Aspiring National Park. Your journey to the iconic red hut starts at Raspberry Creek Car Park, where you’ll walk to Aspiring Hut via the West Matukituki Track before continuing deeper into the valley and eventually climbing up the steep slope to Liverpool Hut.

Raspberry Creek Car Park is located 1 hour northwest of Wanaka, at the end of Wanaka Mt Aspiring Rd. The car park is equipped with a toilet block, untreated water and a picnic shelter. It serves as the trailhead for most of the hikes in the Matukituki Valley, including Cascade Saddle, Shotover Saddle and French Ridge Hut.

Certified self-contained campervans are also allowed to stay overnight at Raspberry Creek Car Park, which is super handy to start your adventure to Liverpool Hut bright and early.

How To Get To Raspberry Creek Car Park

Thanks to its proximity to Wanaka, you can either drive yourself to Raspberry Creek Car Park or utilise the shuttle service that leaves from Wanaka. Unfortunately, there are no transfer services during winter, but this time isn’t recommended for most hikers anyway.

Wanaka To Raspberry Creek Car Park Shuttle

Several companies offer transfers to the Matukituki Valley, but the most reliable and frequent company is Wanaka Transfers. They provide shared and private options and operate from the 1st of October to the 30th of June. 

Shared transfers to Raspberry Creek Car Park cost $55 NZD per person one-way. Private transfers for up to 2 people are available for $195 NZD, with an extra $45 NZD per person for a maximum of 11 people.

For the shared transfer, the shuttle requires a minimum of 4 people to operate. Departure from Wanaka Lakefront is at 8 am and 1:45 pm, and return from Raspberry Creek Car Park is at 9:15 am and 3 pm every day.

The shared transfer shuttle operates daily, however, it requires at least 4 passengers to operate. It departs from Wanaka Lakefront at 8:00 am and 1:45 pm and returns from Raspberry Creek Car Park at 9:15 am and 3:00 pm.

*Prices and times are current as of September 2024, check the Wanaka Transfer website for up-to-date details before planning your trip.

Driving From Wanaka To Raspberry Creek Car Park

To reach Raspberry Creek Car Park by car, you’ll simply head west out of Wanaka on Wanaka Mt Aspiring Rd. The beautiful scenic drive is straightforward at first, but after passing the Aspiring Helicopters shed, the road turns to gravel. The last 30 km will be a bumpy ride over corrugations while dodging sheep and cows in the open paddocks.

During the final 10 km, you’ll come across at least 8 fords that are typically shallow enough for a 2WD to navigate in good weather. But after heavy rain or snowmelt, these fords can become deeper and impassable for 2WDs. We suggest checking the road conditions via The Wanaka App before leaving Wanaka.

Note: Google Maps estimates the drive time from Wanaka to Raspberry Creek Car Park to be 2 hours. Unless you intend to drive at an average speed of 15 km/hr for the 30km of unsealed road, this is ridiculously excessive!! It takes us under 1 hour, but if you’re a bit anxious, allow 1.5 hours.

How Hard Is The Hike To Liverpool Hut?

The hike to Liverpool Hut starts off easy, with a stunning walk through the majestic Matukituki Valley. But once you reach the turn-off for Liverpool Track, get ready for a seriously steep climb through a cluttered forest.

For the most part, the 1.7 km climb weaves through the thick forest, forcing you to climb up tangled tree roots and rocks. Some sections are slightly exposed and others require a little problem-solving to find the best route up. 

As you emerge from the tree line, you’ll encounter the sketchiest part – a long, slanted rock slab. This rock slab is exposed and can become slippery in icy or wet conditions. We don’t recommend attempting it in severe conditions, but if it’s relatively dry, take it slow and use hiking poles to make it more manageable.

Due to the tough, technical and very steep climb to reach Liverpool Hut, we only recommend this adventure for experienced and confident hikers. If this sounds a bit above your abilities, we suggest hiking to Aspiring Hut and then adding the hike to Rob Roy Glacier.

Navigation On The Liverpool Hut Track

Both trails along the hike to Liverpool Hut – West Matukituki Track and Liverpool Track – are clearly marked with orange triangles in the forest sections and orange-tipped poles in the open areas. We found that the markers were well spaced out and had no difficulty locating the next one along our journey.

However, in dense cloud and fog, the markers may become more challenging to locate. Furthermore, the markers aren’t reflective which makes them very hard to see if you’re hiking in the dark. In these circumstances, we recommend tracking your hike via a GPS app like AllTrails.

🥾 We’ve been using AllTrails for over three years and depend on AllTrails+ for all our adventures. Based on our experience, we highly recommend this platform for navigation and trail research. Use our code LESSTRAVELLED30 to get 30% off your subscription!

Saving Time By Biking To Aspiring Hut

Mountain biking is allowed from Raspberry Creek to Aspiring Hut, where you can stash your bike until your return journey. This is highly beneficial for those short on time, or if you’re really not keen to walk on a 4WD track for 9 km one-way!

Aside from a few stream crossings and rocky sections, it’s an easy ride that can cut an hour off your journey – maybe even more! However, it’s important to understand the risk of damage to your bike from the Keas. These cheeky alpine parrots love chewing bike seats so ensure you hide your bike well. It’s also recommended to cover your seat with a tarp or something similar for extra protection.

Best Time To Hike To Liverpool Hut

Mount Aspiring National Park is a wild and rugged region where the mountain peaks are often blanketed in snow well into spring. Despite its lower elevation, Liverpool Hut – and the trail leading to the hut – does see a fair amount of snow outside of the summer months.

We visited Liverpool Hut in early May and were surprised to find a light layer of snow surrounding the hut. There were even icicles attached to rocks along the forest trail!

For these reasons, we recommend hiking to Liverpool Hut between November and April for the easiest trail conditions. If you have plenty of experience hiking in snow and navigating icy terrain, you could extend the hiking window from late September to early June. But remember to check in with the DOC visitor centre in Wanaka to check the avalanche risk.

Hiking To Liverpool Hut In Winter

Hiking to Liverpool Hut in winter requires a strong understanding of avalanche awareness and advanced skills navigating steep and snowy terrain. Winter ascents to Liverpool Hut are not recommended unless you have these additional skills and know what you’re doing.

Essential Information About Staying Overnight At Liverpool Hut

What To Expect At Liverpool Hut

Liverpool Hut is a tiny little alpine hut that boasts stellar views from the numerous windows and the partial wrap-around deck. This hut is classed as a serviced alpine hut, but it’s more like a standard alpine hut in terms of facilities.

The cosy hut consists of one room, with a large bunk on one side that fits 10 people and a kitchen and dining area on the other. There is no heating or electricity in this hut, but the views sure do make up for the lack of amenities!

Liverpool Hut Facilities

• Two shared bunks with 10 mattresses
• Table and chairs
• Preparation bench in the kitchen
• Non-treated water tank and sink outside
• Outdoor long-drop toilet (bring your own toilet paper)

Understanding The Liverpool Hut Booking System

The New Zealand alpine hut booking system can be quite confusing as their rules vary from one hut to another. For Liverpool Hut, bookings are mandatory during the summer season but in winter you cannot book in advance and instead, will need to purchase a hut ticket from the DOC Centre in Wanaka.

There is a flat rate of $35 NZD per adult, year-round, for Liverpool Hut – which has sadly gone up in price yet again. Backcountry Hut Passes can only be used during the winter season which runs from the 1st of May to Labor Day weekend in October. 

Your booking includes access to all hut facilities listed above, along with an unassigned bunk and a mattress chosen upon arrival.

Booking Liverpool Hut During The Summer Season

From late October to May, you must book and pay for Liverpool Hut in advance. You can do this online from the DOC information page. It is possible to book via email, phone or in person at the visitor centre, but you will incur a $10 NZD service fee so we don’t recommend doing this.

While Liverpool Hut isn’t as popular as other alpine huts like Mueller Hut, it can get fully booked in advance on summer weekends and holidays. We recommend booking as far in advance as possible if you plan to visit during these peak times.

Booking Liverpool Hut In Winter

During the winter season – from the 1st of May to late October – Liverpool Hut runs on a first-come-first-served basis. You cannot pre-book online and instead, will need to visit a DOC visitor centre to purchase your backcountry hut tickets.

Note: You will not be charged the $10 service fee for purchasing the backcountry hut tickets in person at the visitor centre during the winter season.

The bookings aren’t monitored very closely during winter (it can be tricky thanks to the use of Backcountry Hut Passes) so we suggest bringing a sleeping mat in case the bunks are full.

Camping at Liverpool Hut

While there are no concrete rules prohibiting camping at Liverpool Hut, it’s not recommended. The majority of the surrounding vegetation is fragile and shrubby, with only a small clear space large enough for one tent.

If you’re still set on camping, you will need to stop in at the DOC Visitor Centre in Wanaka to purchase a camping ticket. The camping ticket for Liverpool Hut was $10 NZD when we inquired in May 2023.

Beware Of The Kea

New Zealand is home to a very cheeky alpine parrot called kea. They love causing havoc with your belongings and will chew anything left unattended – including tents! We had visits from several Kea at Liverpool Hut and we believe they are still very present there.

To reduce the risk of Kea destroying your tent, wait until dark to set it up. Furthermore, don’t leave any of your gear unattended and please don’t feed the kea – it is highly detrimental to their health and their behaviour.

What To Pack For Your Hike To Liverpool Hut

The hike to Liverpool Hut is challenging, with several stream crossings and an overgrown forest to navigate towards the end. We recommend packing light for your trip, especially if you’re a little nervous about the climb.

With that said, the Matukituki Valley is a mountainous region that endures adverse weather conditions – even through summer. While packing light is a priority, so is staying warm and safe.

Liverpool Hut Track Notes

Raspberry Creek Car Park to Aspiring Hut

Your journey to Liverpool Hut begins on the West Matukituki Track that will lead you west along a private farm road from Raspberry Creek Car Park. You’ll follow alongside the Matukituki River on the undemanding dirt road for 9 km until you reach Aspiring Hut.

The walk from Raspberry Creek Car Park to Aspiring Hut generally takes between 1.5 – 2.5 hours. Aside from a few shallow stream crossings, this section requires very little attention, allowing you to devote all your attention to the mind-boggling landscape you’re lucky enough to be walking through.

If you’d like more information on this section of the hike, take a look at our detailed guide to hiking to Aspiring Hut.

Aspiring Hut To Shovel Flat

Take a moment to rest at Aspiring Hut, enjoying the views from the sunny deck and using the toilets, before continuing your journey through the impossibly beautiful glacial valley. 

Leaving the private farm road behind, the trail crosses Aspiring Campsite and ducks into the trees flanking the northwestern edge of the campsite. A wide dirt path meanders through the native forest, where silver beech trees provide a dense canopy for the moss-covered understory to thrive.

The trail continues to weave in and out of the enchanting native forest, crossing two vibrant blue creeks via shaky swing bridges before leading you to Shovel Flat after roughly 45 minutes.

The open tussock-filled flatland boasts unforgettable vistas of soaring mountains capped with snowy glacial peaks. Waterfalls tumble down the precipitous slopes, flowing into the ice-blue Matukituki River that you’re once again following.

Shovel Flat To Pearl Flat

Take your time crossing Shovel Flat, marvelling at the magnificent landscape encompassing you. Once you reach the edge of the flat, you’ll come to a heavily eroded riverbank.

When the river is low, this is quite easy to navigate, but if the river is high you might want to assess whether it’s worth attempting to find an alternate route through the forest.

After navigating the eroded riverbank, you’ll re-enter the forest for approximately 400 metres before reaching the much smaller Pearl Flat after another 30 – 45 minutes.

A peaceful walk alongside the river will lead you to the top of Pearl Flat, where you’ll cross Liverpool Stream via another swing bridge.

Pearl Flat To Liverpool Hut

Immediately after the swing bridge, you’ll arrive at a track junction. Take the left track, following the sign to Liverpool Hut. This is where your peaceful hike ends and let me tell you, Liverpool Track starts with a bang!

Trail markers guide you up the incredibly steep ascent, which is the only real indication that you’re on a hiking track. Almost the entire ‘trail’ through the forest consists of tangled tree roots, some suspended and some wrapped around giant boulders.

Ascend slowly through the forest, pulling yourself up using tree roots and branches. Take your time navigating the slippery boulders and take advantage of any remotely flat spots to rest.

Eventually, you’ll emerge from the treeline and gain your first glimpse of the Liverpool Hut toilet and the majestic Matukituki Valley below. The track continues ascending along shaley rock, tussock grass and dirt – away from the hut – to a knoll that overlooks Liverpool Hut.

Just before you reach the high point, you’ll come to the sketchiest section of the hike – an exposed slanted rock slab sloping downward. It won’t look like much in fair weather, but the steep, slanted rock slab can become treacherous in icy, wet or snowy conditions. 

What makes the rock slab worse is the lack of handholds. Your only choice is spiky bushes that aren’t pleasant to touch without gloves on. I found that skewering my hiking pole into the bushes and using it for support helped to stay balanced even if my foot threatened to slip a bit.

Luckily, this sketchy section is brief and after one final quick climb, you’ll arrive at the grassy knoll overlooking Liverpool Hut. A short descent down a rutted and rocky path will lead you to the grassy ledge where Liverpool Hut resides.

It took us approximately 1 hr 45 minutes to complete the ascent from Pearl Flat to Liverpool Hut, but we recommend allowing 2 hours in your trip planning to be safe.

Liverpool Hut

Liverpool Hut is perched on the edge of a tussock-filled ledge, with mind-blowing views of the magical Matukituki Valley. From the deck, you can see Mt Aspiring’s summit and the tiny red dot across the valley that is French Ridge Hut. 

We strongly encourage you to stay up for sunset and wake early for sunrise. We promise you won’t regret it! Although sunrise offers a slightly better show with the valley bathed in a soft yellow light, sunset creates a stunning glow on the snow-capped peaks above.

Returning To Raspberry Creek Car Park

After experiencing a magical night at Liverpool Hut, it’s time to return to Raspberry Creek Car Park. If you have the luxury of time, wait for the sun to hit Liverpool Hut to warm your bones and hopefully melt some of the frost or ice on the trail if it’s been a cold night.

The descent to Pearl Flat was more challenging than the ascent, forcing us to climb backwards down some of the root-filled sections. We were surprised to realise that we took half an hour longer on the way down than on the way up!

With all that said, we thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of the Liverpool Track. We would be hesitant to attempt the climb in deep snow or seriously icy conditions, but we did encounter some light snow and found it manageable.

Other Important Information For Hiking To Liverpool Hut

Which Should You Choose, Liverpool Hut Or French Ridge Hut?

Liverpool Hut and French Ridge Hut sit across the Matukituki Valley from one another, both offering an incredible experience with mind-blowing views from the little red alpine huts.

We stayed at both huts in the one hiking trip and loved each one equally. But that doesn’t help you choose if you only have time for one! Therefore, we’ve listed the differences below to help you make the right decision for your adventure into the Matukituki Valley.

Honestly, if you have an extra day to spare, we highly recommend extending your hike to two nights and staying at both French Ridge Hut and Liverpool Hut. They’re both incredibly worthwhile adventures and visiting both on the same trip saves you from making the long walk to the head of the valley twice! Just be prepared for a lot of elevation.

Leave No Trace

New Zealand is one of our favourite places in the world, with some of the most pristine landscapes we’ve witnessed. Let’s keep it that way and help the native forests thrive by following the 7 Leave No Trace Principles.

It’s as easy as packing out all your rubbish (including food scraps and tissues), using the toilets provided and staying on the trail where applicable. There are no rubbish bins throughout the Matukituki Valley, the nearest being in Wanaka – one hour away.

Where To Stay Near The Matukituki Valley in Mt Aspiring National Park

The closest town to the Matukituki Valley in Mount Aspiring National Park is Wanaka, located an hour southeast of Raspberry Creek Car Park. This is one of our absolute favourite towns in New Zealand and we recommend spending a couple of nights here to experience all the things to do in Wanaka.

We’ve visited Wanaka several times, and our favourite accommodation has been The Hidden Spring. It’s a quaint and affordable studio apartment located just outside the town centre. Below we’ve listed some more recommendations for all budgets.

• Adventure Wanaka Hostel – A great budget-friendly option for solo travellers or a group of friends
• Wanaka Homestead Lodge & Cottages – a beautiful mid-budget lodge with cottages perfect for families or two couples
• Marine Terrace Apartments – Luxurious apartments directly across the road from Lake Wanaka, equipped with everything you could possibly need – including an indoor pool!

For more recommendations and tips on where to stay within the area, check out our guide to finding the best places to stay in Wanaka.

Camping Near Mt Aspiring National Park

If you’re travelling in a certified self-contained campervan, the best place to stay before and after your hike is at Raspberry Creek Car Park. This allows you to start your hike bright and early and you’ll have access to toilets and untreated water – but there is no phone service.

Below are some more of our favourite campsites near Mount Aspiring National Park:

• Albert Town Camping Ground – Situated on the edge of the Clutha River, just 7 minutes northeast of Wanaka, this campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis and charges $10 NZD per person, per night.
• Red Bridge Campground – This campsite welcomes certified self-contained campervans and is situated 15 minutes southeast of Wanaka. It offers a toilet, but no water is available on-site.

Check out our guide to finding the best campsites in Wanaka for more information, tips and suggestions.

Final Thoughts

Liverpool Hut was one of the first hikes we did in New Zealand and it blew us away! It had the perfect mix of challenge, breathtaking views, enchanting forests and places to swim. However, it is certainly one of the more difficult hikes we have completed and requires a good level of skill and confidence.

We hope that our guide has helped you determine whether the hike to Liverpool Hut is suitable for you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out via email or Instagram DMs if you’re still unsure or if you have any additional questions.

Happy Hiking 🙂