Thread: Golden Hills Hut Restoration

Some pics from a spring hunt in 2014, hut was in terrible shape back then..

Thanks 7.62 for putting up your photos from 2014 , the Hut had deteriorated further in 2017 when we flew in to carry out a survey of the huts condition as to weather it was still possible to restore , it has always been my view that regardless of the huts condition , these old historical huts must be restored and preserved , even if they no longer exist we only need a photo or sketch to rebuild as per original .

On the 17 th January Lloyd , Hamish and I flew in for the final Restoration trip , Bob was unable to make it due to illness , which was unfortunate as Bob had been on 4 previous trips and had made a big contribution to the Restoration , we flew out on the 22 nd .

I had put out a call on the forum for any items members where willing to donate to the Restoration that would be displayed inside the Hut , Forum members Ruger 7 mm and Woody both offered items which was greatly appreciated , I had never met Woody but had arranged to meet at his place 7 am on my way to Heli Sika , Woody had set up 2 tables with items all neatly laid out to donate to the Restoration , although i had limited time to talk with Woody it was obvious Woody had spent most of his life in the outdoors both working and hunting and had been following the Restoration progress with interest .

Woody all your items are now displayed inside the hut along side items we recovered during the Restoration , your billys are hanging from the split beech rafters as is your kerosene lantern , your swannies are laid out on old shelving supported by manuka , as are your old Outdoor magazines from 1948 , the old pipes and tobacco tins are fixed to the cubboard , the items displayed have added to the special atmosphere inside the Hut ,thanks Woody , i do hope you get your wish to spend a few nights at Old Golden Hill Hut .

Ruger 7 mm there is a special place set aside for your Lantern .

Thanks members for your support , i will write up my report when time allows .

Murray N

Thanks for the update @Murray N. I’m 100% with you on the need to restore and maintain iconic huts like Golden Hills. They are reminders of our rich backcountry history; whether it be mustering sheep in wild and far flung corners, or epic deer culling missions, theses old huts were used as a base by a plethora of outdoorsmen during an era that is now long gone.

Also kudos to @Woody and @Ruger7mm, really generous of you guys to donate some items to the hut to recreate the atmosphere of a bygone era.

Some pics of the hut during its heyday