From December 1 to April 8, trampers will be able to book a bed at both the Brewster and Siberia huts ahead of time, through Doc’s website.
Both huts sit in the northern end of the Mt Aspiring National Park.
Doc Central Otago operations manager Mike Tubbs said last season the huts were increasingly at capacity and more, and many trampers would arrive at a hut after a long day to find it already full. A booking system meant Doc could ensure the huts’ capacity was maintained and it provided trampers with a guarantee of a bed.
"We want people to be safe and comfortable," he said.
Siberia Hut (20 bunks) was used by people traversing the back-country Gillespie Pass circuit, while the Brewster Hut (12 bunks) was used by mountaineers exploring the nearby alpine peaks.
The cost of staying at the huts would remain at $15 per night for adults and $7.50 for children aged 5-17.
Annual hut pass holders would be able to make a booking for the Siberia Hut at any Doc booking office but the passes were not valid for Brewster Hut.
As safety was the No1 priority, people who encountered severe weather or were caught out for any reason were encouraged to seek shelter in the huts, Mr Tubbs said.
Hut wardens would be at Siberia Hut and periodically at Brewster Hut for the duration of the trial and a booking would be the only guarantee of a bed in the huts. At the end of the trial, a decision would be made on the future of the booking systems. Doc would only establish a booking systems at huts which were overcrowded for a certain number of nights during the peak summer season and no other huts in the district had those issues.
• Bookings for the Siberia and Brewster huts will be available at booking.doc.govt.nz from November 13.
