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Places to stay

Tararua main ridge

Hut • Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC). Capacity: 6.

Cool wee hut sitting on the tops a few hours from Mangahoa Dam 2, near Shannon. Great view. Walk in takes 2-3 hours. Can do the round trip to Dam no 1 (a bit longer, probably 5-6 hours). Grid re...

Arete Hut

Hut • Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC). Capacity: 2.

DOC's website states that they upgraded the small, cold Arete Biv to a 2-bunk 'Arete Hut' in 2007. Arete lies on both the Northern Crossing and the Tararua Main ridge. Both are excellent mul...

Aokaparangi Hut

Hut • Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC). Capacity: 2.

Aokaparangi Hut (2 bunks, matresses, tank water): A tidy, well insulated 2-bunk hut on the bush-line overlooking the Waiohine River. There's no fire (despite the abundance of firewood), but it's ...

Dundas Hut

Hut • Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 6.

Dundas Hut (4 bunk) sits in one of the best spots of any hut in the North Island. It perches on a small ledge just beneath the Tararua main divide with a clear view of the percipituous faces of Pu...

Mangahao Flats Hut

Hut • Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 16.

A huge modern hut put in between (now removed) Harris Creek Hut and (now removed) Avalanche Flats Hut. Approximately five to seven hours from Mangahao Dam. The hut has inside water and sink, ...

Dracophyllum Hut

Hut • Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC). Capacity: 2.

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 hu...

Hut categories

Great Walks Hut: Well appointed DOC hut on one of the nine Great Walks. Great Walks pass required, bookings may be required. Facilities typically include toilets, heating, water, and bunks with mattresses. Some huts will have lighting, gas cooking, and a DOC ranger.
Serviced Hut: Larger, high standard hut. Many serviced huts have a booking system and must be booked in advance. Other huts require a back country hut pass or 3 hut tickets. Mostly owned by DOC. Facilities typically include a toilet, open fire or wood burner, water supply, and bunks with mattresses.
Serviced Alpine Hut: Alpine hut owned by DOC or clubs such as NZAC. Generally no heating. Payment varies. Facilities typically include a toilet, water supply, and bunks with mattresses.
Standard Hut: Typical DOC hut. Back country hut pass / 1 hut ticket required, no bookings. Facilities typically include a toilet, open fire or wood burner, and bunks with mattresses.
Basic Hut/Bivvy: Small DOC huts of 2-6 bunks. No fees or bookings. Facilities typically include a toilet and bunks with mattresses.

In general, food and cooking equipment is not available at huts. See DOC and NZAC websites for details of pricing and booking.

Campsite categories

Great Walks Campsite: Campsites are available on most Great Walks, usually next to huts. Great Walks pass required, bookings may be required. Toilets, water supply. No use of hut facilities not available.
Serviced, Scenic, or Standard Campsite: Accessible by car or boat, and offering a range of facilities.
Basic Campsite: Accessible by car or boat, but with minimal facilities. No fees or bookings. Toilet, water may be from stream.
Backcountry Campsite: Walk-in access. Fees vary. No bookings. Toilet, water may be from stream.