New Track To Asbestos Cottage, Hut Decontaminated

A new route to Kahurangi National Park's Asbestos Cottage will open on Saturday, providing safe access to the popular hut.

The new route was put in after sampling found unsafe levels of asbestos in the soil on the previous track and traces of asbestos in the hut.

Department of Conservation Golden Bay Operations Manager Ross Trotter says the popular hut has been decontaminated, and areas of asbestos contamination around the hut have been remediated, so it's safe for people to visit again.

Ross says the cottage has a rich history and is an important heritage site, and is a popular overnight trip.

"We're looking forward to people being able to get out naturing in the area again, it's an accessible walk through a great part of the country.

"A new route named Asbestos Cottage Track, running from Cobb Ridge to the cottage and on to Lower Junction Track, has also been marked so people have a safe way in that doesn't go past the old asbestos mine.

"It starts from a different spot a bit further up, on Cobb Dam Road near the information shelter. The first 2.5 km undulates along the existing Cobb Ridge Route, enjoy views of Cobb Reservoir, until it reaches the intersection for the signage for the new route to Asbestos Cottage.

"From this junction, the next 2 km is initially open tussock before descending into native beech forest that leads you down to another intersection, with one direction leading to Asbestos Cottage and the other towards Lower Junction.

"It's an advanced track with some steep and rough sections, suitable for well-equipped trampers and likely to take about 2 hours at an average walking pace.

"The old track has been removed from our track network and signage has been removed. We ask people not to use it or visit the area around the mine for their safety. It won't surprise anyone that there's asbestos around an old asbestos mine site – it can potentially be a serious health risk, so its important people steer clear and use the new route."