Ōtamahua/Quail Island tramping hut progresses

A weekend visit to Ōtamahua/Quail Island revealed the conversion of the caretaker cottage into family style tramping accommodation is progressing well.  “This builds on our successful Te Ara Pataka partnership and we will put the new hut onto our DOC booking systems as this has been so effective in enabling families to use the Packhorse and Rod Donald Huts”, says Andy Thompson, DOC Mahaanui Area Manager who is leading the project.  The Trust has assisted with funding and is pleased that DOC chose to use David Brailsford as the builder after he did such a quality job with the Rod Donald Hut conversion.  Ōtamahua/Quail Island Trust are involved too – their chair Ian McLennan having drawn up the plans.  Once complete the cottage will include a large living space with a log burner, two bunk rooms sleeping six each, and separate quarters for rangers and volunteers working on the island. The hut is on schedule to open this summer, but still lots of work to do first, so watch this space!