Dracophyllum Hut
Dracophyllum Hut (2 bunk, tank water) is a small ridgeline hut situated in cloud-forest (and thus mostly in cloud) on the Tararua main ridge between Arete and Nichols / Anderson's memorial. The hut was replaced a few years ago, but is already coated in a thick layer of mould and mosses: this is damp country. That said, it's got 2 bunks and metresses, and there's wood around, so if you can find some dry stuff a fire outside is not an impossibility.
The main reason to be here is walking the main ridge from Arete to Nichols. This is a beutiful section of ridgeline dipping in and out of cloud-forest on a well marked track. Comments in the hut book also note a rough but possible route crossing the Park River valley to Carkeek Hut from Dracophyllum.

Owner
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Owner: DOC |
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Category
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Basic Hut/Bivvy |
Sleeps
|
Sleeps 2
2
|
Facilities
|
None |
Water supply
|
No water |
Getting there
|
Arete Biv: 6.5km, 2.5-5 hours, track/poled route Nichols Hut (for Waitawaewae and Otaki Forks): 6.5km, 2.5-5 hours, track (see Tararua Main Ridge for details) |
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Unlocked
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This hut is unlocked and open to access. |
Bookings
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No bookings — open access
No — open access
|
Altitude
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1,100m |
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Mobile phone coverage
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No coverage |
Maps
|
NZTopo50-BN33
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