Description

This is a basic four-bunk hut in western Fiordland. This historic hut is the only physical feature remaining from the New Zealand-American Fiordland expedition of 1949. There are no fees. Bookings not required - first come, first served. Facilities include non-flush toilets and water from a stream. Access Caswell Sound by boat. Alternatively, for trampers experienced with route finding there is an unmarked route from George Sound to Caswell Sound via the Overlander Ridge and Stillwater Valley. This hut is situated in a small clearing on the north side of the mouth of the Stillwater River, at the head of Caswell Sound (500 m from the Sound). It faces north-west and is sheltered from wind coming up the sound. The hut is built of rimu framing covered with fine chicken wire mesh and heavy-duty melthoid. The cladding is standard corrugated iron. There was once furniture built of native timber and scraps of sawn timber. There is a large fireplace at one end of the hut, and a single wooden door in the front wall. Four pane windows are in place in both the end wall window overlooking the river and in the front wall.