Places to stay
A Mid Waiohine Circuit: 'easier day tommorrow ...'
Totara Flats Hut
Hut
• Serviced Hut (DOC). Capacity: 26.
A central hut for the Kaitoke to Holdsworth trip (3 days). It was sited under trees at the north-west corner of Totara Flats (largest flat in Tararuas at 2 km by 0.5 km) but was replaced since it w...
Neill Forks Hut
Hut
• Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 6.
Hidden away and camouflaged in green and orange. 6 bunks with mattresses. Water from river. The fireplace is OK. Photo taken from helicopter landing clearing nearby. The Hector River is worth a sid...
Sayers Hut
Hut
• Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 6.
A well maintained historic, but functional hut on the Waiohine River flats in the Tararuas. A beautiful hut, harkening back to the days when huts were one-offs built by people, not mass produced b...
Powell Hut
Hut
• Serviced Hut (DOC). Capacity: 40.Bookings required.
A popular stopping off point on walks to Mount Holdsworth, Powell Hut in the Tararua Ranges is 4 hours from the car park and 1 hour from the summit. The hut offers great views across the Wairarapa ...
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 ...
Maungahuka Hut
Hut
• Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 6.
The original hut (pictured) has been replaced by a new hut on the same location. Sleeps 12, but has no fireplace / woodburner (there was no wood within a km anyway, so no great loss!). A huge air...
Mountain House
Hut
• Shelter (DOC).
A small 3-sided shelter now occupies the site where the infamous Mountain House once stood. Originally a 3 room structure with 2 (segregated) bunkrooms and a common kitchen / lounge, it became muc...
Mid Waiohine
Hut
• Standard Hut (DOC). Capacity: 6.
Small Cold in winter but a welcome sight after a knee busting descent from Isobel
The hut is cosy when the open fire is going.
This hut has been recognized by DOC for retention in as representa...
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.