Queenstown Lakes has been experiencing heavy rain and strong winds across the district. Some roads remain closed due to flooding and slips. The QLDC Emergency Operations Centre is closely monitoring conditions alongside Otago Regional Council and Otago Emergency Management. See our Emergency Management webpage for more information (including a list of road closures) or follow along on our Facebook page.

Pigeon Island

Wāwāhi Waka

This page provides all the information you need to book and safely use either Douglas Robinson's Hut or Smith's Hut on Pigeon Island.

Quick links

Hut Facilities

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Available Times

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Booking form

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How to get there

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Douglas Robinson's and Smith’s Hut Facilities

The Pigeon Island is Council owned and maintained. Bookings are required and processed on a first come first served basis. There is no fee to use this hut, but you must book.

The Hut can be utilised year round and is accessible by private water transport only.

The Smith’s Hut sleeps ten comfortably (12 max). It has ten mattresses on two platform bases, whilst the Douglas Robinson’s Hut sleeps 5. Both provide heating (log burner), a small kitchen table and an outside long drop toilet.

The hut does not provide running water, firewood, food, cooking utensils or gas burners, showers or bedding or toilet paper. Firewood can be gathered from driftwood around the island, please make woodpile is restocked.

    • Strictly no open fires allowed on the island (year round fire ban in place)

    • Strictly no dogs allowed on the island or surrounding islands (to protect native weka and ground nesting birds)

    • To support Pigeon & Pig Island being predator free and prevent further loss of New Zealand’s unique taonga (treasured) species, visitors are asked to check for pests on their private vessels before heading to the island

    • There is an expectation that those that stay at the hut act responsible and leave the hut as they found it

    • Please report any damage or breakages to QLDC Customer Services at services@qldc.govt.nz

    • Your rubbish must be taken off the island

    • Do not remove anything from the island that would compromise it as a protected sanctuary

    • Guests must leave the hut by 1.30pm and new guests may only check in after 2.00pm.

    • The camping area is not subject to bookings.

    • A voluntary contribution of $5 per person per night is requested to support the ongoing maintenance and preservation of Pigeon Island. These contributions assist with protecting and enhancing the island’s natural environment, walking tracks, and visitor facilities. 

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    • In an Emergency call 111

    • You will need to carry two forms of communication with you. There is reception for all three networks (Spark, Vodafone, 2degrees) but only on top of the hills.  

    • There is no electricity supply on the island

    • There is no water supply on the island so you will need to bring your own or boil lake water

    • There may be limited firewood supply (driftwood) on the island (for the hut log burner) so you may prefer to bring your own

    • The island can only be accessed by private water transport. Please always follow boating safety guidelines. Please see QLDC Lake Whakatipu Boating Guide via https://www.qldc.govt.nz/recreation/lakes-and-boating/boat-safety

    • Boats can launched at Lake Face Creek on the mainland, please move vehicles to the carpark above

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Available Times

Douglas Robinson's Hut Booking

Smith's Hut Booking

Pigeon Island Booking Form

Please take a look at the live calendar to ensure you are selecting a date that is available. Some important considerations include:

  • Booking requests are only processed during business hours.

  • You are advised to read the terms and conditions before submitting a booking.

  • Bookings will only be accepted over the phone if you have no access to online services.

Booking duration cannot exceed 5 nights. Please select a check-in and check-out date within a 5-night period.

How to get there

Pigeon Island | Wāwāhi Waka is located at the northern end of Lake Whakatipu off the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road.

You will need privately owned water transport to access the hut. Beach landings are permitted.

Please leave vehicles in carpark on mainland as opposed to the launch point at Lake Face Creek.

We ask that you please check for stowaway pests (e.g. mice/rats) on your boat or vessel before heading to the island.

QLDC Pigeon Island Map For Web Oct25