Rex Simpson Hut is located in a beautiful setting on a glacial moraine terrace at 1300m in the Two Thumb Range. With great views of the Southern Alps and Lake Tekapo, it is fantastic location for some star gazing - the Mackenzie District is renowned for the clarity of its sky and freedom from light pollution, which is why the area was recently designated as an International Dark Sky Reserve.

Rex Simpson Hut is Alpine Recreation's base for the hiking in the summer and ski & split-board tours, nordic skiing, snowshoeing and backcountry instruction courses during the winter.

Public / unguided bookings

Rex Simpson Hut is available to the public subject to a booking system. A maximum of 6 participants can book the hut at any given time.

Parties need to be completely self-sufficient, they need to bring their own ski-touring equipment, avalanche transceivers, shovel etc. Alpine Recreation's ski touring and snowshoe equipment is only available to its guided parties. Please be aware that you may be sharing the hut with guided groups. Guides’ primary responsibilities are with their clients and while they may be happy to give the occasional tip, please respect that this is their workplace and they are not there to provide free advice.

If you are uncertain of where to go or how to travel safely through avalanche terrain, then we recommend booking a guided trip or course with us to learn the necessary skills to become self-sufficient.

Please bring a cell phone. Telecom and Vodaphone work well on the entire access line and anywhere in the ranges where there is a clear view of Mount John near Lake Tekapo and Mount Mary.