Two of the Coromandel’s most popular DOC sites are set for upgrades, with work beginning next week on improving the Pinnacles Hut and nearby Summit Track.

The Pinnacles Hut is an 80-bunk hut, located in the Kauaeranga Valley. Built in 1994, the hut offers expansive views across the southern Coromandel Peninsula.

The Pinnacles Hut and Summit Track are often used by international tourists visiting Coromandel and is one of DOC’s busiest with 15,000 bednights per year.

DOC Hauraki Senior Ranger Karen Ismay says the hut refurbishment project will start on Monday 12 May and run for six weeks until 21 June.

“The work on the hut involves installing insulation, false ceilings and double-glazed windows – all of which will mean a warmer, drier and more comfortable hut for our visitors.

“We know that a significant proportion of tourism is based in, on or around our unique natural environment and this part of a wider drive to make DOC’s hut buildings more environmentally sustainable for future generations to enjoy,” Karen says.

“This hut is particularly popular with international visitors enjoying what the Coromandel has to offer.”

With the work underway, the hut becomes an active worksite – which means it is off-limits to the public and cannot be booked for the duration of the refurbishment project.

Alongside the hut project is an improvement project on the Summit Track, which is accessed from the Pinnacles Hut.

The Summit Track project focusses on improving the track surface, with boardwalks set to be installed to prevent the spread of kauri disease.

With more than 50 per cent of international visitors and 80 per cent of New Zealanders visiting protected natural areas every year, improvements like these are vital for future-proofing our assets.

Drainage work will also improve management of rainwater on and around the track.

The track will be closed to the public from 7am Monday to 3pm on Friday, but will be available for weekend walkers. The track upgrade project is expected to be completed by 21June.

“We understand there may be some disappointment about these closures, but we’re confident our visitors will appreciate the improvements – particularly on chilly winter nights in the hut,” Karen says.

© Scoop Media