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Places to stay

Walking the length of the Ruahines

Hut • Serviced Hut (DOC). Capacity: 12.

Longview hut (12 bed platforms, firewood, tank water,non-flush toilet) provided a view of nothing but mist on the occasion I visited it, but in the sleet and mist of a late october storm, the provi...

Kiwi Saddle Hut (Kaweka Range)

Hut • Standard Hut (Heretaunga Tramping Club). Capacity: 8.

Kiwi Saddle Hut is located on the ridge 3km west of Kuripapango and some 700m above the Ngaruroro river. The hut is on the Smith Russel Track from Kuripapango to Kiwi Mouth Hut on the Ngaruroro, an...

Howletts Hut

Hut • Standard Hut (Heretaunga Tramping Club). Capacity: 8.

Howletts Hut is located below the 1682m Taumatamekura Peak and the last rest heading north before the infamous Sawtooth Ridge. The hut sits in a sheltered hollow on the Daphne Ridge just where t...

Kiritaki Hut / Keretaki Hut / Seamac Motel

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

Kiritaki hut (6 beds, wood-burning stove, firewood available in locality, roof-fed water tank). One of many excellent huts in the Ruahines, and the only hut to survive DOC's cull of the Southern Ru...

Cattle Creek Hut

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

On river flats in the upper reaches of Cattle Creek lies Cattle Creek Hut (6 beds, wood-burning stove, firewood available in locality, tank water). The hut lies about 200m (15 mins) below the r...

Sparrowhawk Bivouac

Hut • Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC). Capacity: 3.

Sparrowhawk Biviouac (sleeps 2-3, tank water) is one of the nicer biv's in the Ruahine's. The biv is a typical waist-high sleeping-box, with 2 matresses on the floor, and space for 3 at a push (th...

Shutes Hut

Hut • Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 4.

Set in a large clearing, this 1920’s stone-built hut is the best of the Ruahines. Built and inhabited for many years by Alex Shute, it still contains the original visitor’s book. All woodwork and ...

Waikamaka Hut

Hut • Standard Hut (Heretaunga Tramping Club). Capacity: 8.

Waikamaka Hut sits in the headwaters of the Waikamaka Stream, 1.5km below the Waipawa Saddle, and below the pyramidical Te Atuaparapara Peak (1687m). An old tramping club hut, it has a good deal...

Comet Hut

Hut • Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC). Capacity: 4.

Comet hut (sleeps 4, tank water) is classed as a basic hut / biv, but is comfortable and of a similar standard to many 'standard huts'. The hut is located at the roadend of Comet Road, off the Ge...

Aranga Hut (dilapidated)

Hut • Private hut (PVT). Capacity: 4.

The Aranga hut (4 beds, wood-burning stove, stream water) is located on the saddle at the head of the Makaroro valley, on the track from the No Mans Roadend to the main Ruahine Range on the west of...

Diane's Hut

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

Diane's Hut (sleeps 6, wood burning stove, firewood available in locality, stream water) is located on a stony bench just above the Koau Stream. The valley sides are canyonous, and the hut at firs...

Standfield Hut

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

Standfield (Stanfield) Hut (6 bunks, woodburing stove, tank water, firewood available in locality) is a comfortable riverside hut on the upper reaches of the Tamaki River, west branch. Access vi...

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.