Tucked up the Hopkins Valley in Canterbury's Ruataniwha Conservation Park, Dodger Hut is a basic backcountry hut built by the NZ Forest Service in 1958. It's a simple, characterful base offering heating and mattresses, sitting in classic high-country river-flat surrounds.

Getting here is part of the adventure. The route follows the valley with multiple river crossings, and difficulty ranges from easy to hard depending on river levels, so it's best tackled with a minimum of three vehicles for safety. There are plenty of good camping spots along the way.

The area is a popular and well-regarded hunting ground, and the open valley scenery makes the trip worthwhile in its own right. Dodger Hut suits those equipped for backcountry travel and confident with river crossings.