This one’s a proper leg-burner, but seriously worth it. Brewster Hut sits high up in Mount Aspiring National Park and is one of those classic bright red alpine huts with unreal views. It’s got 12 bunks and sits just above the bushline, so if you score good weather, you’re treated to full-on mountain views.

The track’s only about 3 km one way, but don’t let that fool you, it gains over 1000 metres of elevation, so it’s steep pretty much the whole time. Right at the start, you have to cross the Haast River, which can be dangerous after rain, so definitely skip it if the river’s up. The first couple of km's are through the bush and involve heaps of tree root climbing, then you break out above the treeline into exposed rocky terrain all the way to the hut.

Bookings are required year-round to stay at this hut, and it’s $45 a night. Bring plenty of water in summer as the tank can run dry, and pack layers, this is alpine NZ, and the weather can flip fast. I didn’t stay overnight myself because it’s totally doable as a day hike, taking around 2–4 hours each way, depending on your pace.

If you’re up for a solid challenge with huge rewards, Brewster is one to chuck on the list. And if you’re keen for more of a mission, check out Brewster Glacier while you’re up there, I’ve got a destination on that too.