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Places to stay

Circumnavigating the Kiwi

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...

Castle Camp Shelter

Hut • Basic Hut/Bivvy (DOC).

Castle Camp Shelter (tank water) must be the only greenhouse dedicated as a backcountry shelter. It is made of PVC sheets strectched over a timber frame and strengthened with chicken wire. On a w...

Kiwi Mouth Hut

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

Kiwi Mouth Hut sits on grassy flats / clearing beside Kiwi Creek shortly before it enters the Ngaruroro. It's a 1960's forestry style hut with 4 bunks down one side and an open fireplace on the ot...

Back Ridge Bivouac

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

Back ridge Biv (sleeps 2-3, stream water) is a typical North-Island bivouac, with 2 matresses on the floor, and space for 3. For a biv, it is well equiped with pans, etc. There is no fireplace, b...

Studholme Saddle Biv

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

Studholme Saddle Bivouac is a wee dog-box bivvy in a clump of beech at the forks of the Kiwi Creek, below the Studholm Saddle. It sleeps 2-3 on 2 mattresses on the floor. The inside of the biv was...

Back Ridge Hut

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

A forestry hut (4 bunks, stove, firewood available, stream water) on the valley floor 5 minutes off the main Back Ridge track. The location marks the end of the beech forest (the manuka changes to...

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.