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New Zealand Huts from T to V |
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Taipo Date: March 2007 Where: Kahurangi National Park, topomap 260-M28 Wangapeka Description: DOC (16) Access: From west to east, 6 hours from Belltown Manunui hut, 1 hour from Stag Flat shelter, 3.5 hours to Helicopter Flat hut, or 3 hours to Trevor Carter hut. Comments: Nice, comfortable hut with a good feel to it. Popular with the fishing fraternity. Woodburner, sleeping platforms with mattresses, water & toilet. |
Tarn Ridge Where: South end of Tarn Ridge, Tararua Forest Park Description: DOC (16) Access: 3 hours from Dorset Ridge Hut, 5 hours from Te Matawai Hut via Arete, Lancaster and the Waiohine Pinnacles, 6-7 hours from Mitre Flats Hut, 6-7 hours from Jumbo Hut and 7-8 hours from Powell Hut. Comments: This modern hut (1995?) replaces the smaller hut at the north end of Tarn Ridge and may replace Dorset Ridge Hut. Tank water. 8 mattresses and 4 sleeping platforms. Potbelly stove but no wood or coal when I was there. Wonderful views over the headwaters of the Waingawa River to Bannister and Waingawa with Table Ridge on the right. Picture courtesy of Adam James Matich |
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Tawa Date: January 2007 Where: Waioeka Forest (Map series 260 - W17 Urewera) Description: DOC (6) Access: From DOC-signposted parking area on Moanui Rd, 4 hours. From Koranga Forks hut via Kahunui Stream, 6 hours. Comments: Cosy, character-filled hut on true right bank of Kahunui Stream. Woodburner, outside water tank, comfortable bunks with mattresses. Toilet. Plenty space for camping. Watch out for onga onga on track! |
Te Matawai Where: 532 metres below Pukematawai, Tararua Forest Park Description: MTC/DOC (30) Access: 3.5 hours from Waiopehu Hut, 5 hours from Tarn Ridge Hut. Comments: A big L-shaped hut with 2 big sleeping platforms (3 mattresses) in one arm and the living area in the other. Indoor water. One cooking bench and a battered table. A partially con/destructed porch traps the sun in the afternoon. Good views up to Pukematawai from the front door - better views from the helicopter clearing just up the hill. Click here for a distant view of the hut. Picture courtesy of Adam James Matich |
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Te Puia Lodge Date: December 2006 Where: Kaweka Forest Park, Hawkes Bay Description: DOC (24) Access: From "The Gums" carpark at end of Makahu Road, 2.5 - 3 hours on track along the Mohaka river. From Makino hut, 1.5 hours down most direct route. Note - there is a ford to cross on Makahu road - take care after heavy rain. Comments: Nice, spacious hut next to sandy beach on true right bank of the Mohaka river. Two bunk areas, one at each end of the hut, with sleeping platforms & foam mattresses and separated by kitchen and common area. Two gas cookers and gas heater. Two indoor sink benches with water supply, and one outdoor sink at water tank, with tap. Pack shelves/storage & gun rack. Two toilets, and meat safe. A bonus is the Mangatainoka hot springs a further 45 minutes along the track - well worth the extra effort. Good camping at the springs. Mangatutu hot springs and camping at "The Gums" carpark for that post-tramp soak (marvellous!). Great tramp for the not-so-fit and the kids. |
Te Rereatukahia Date: November 2006 Where: Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park, Bay of Plenty Description: DOC (12) Access: From end of Hot Springs Road (off SH 2 near Katikati), either 2.5 hours via the Kauri Grove track, or 3.5 hours via the Tuahu and North/South tracks. Comments: Pretty basic hut in sunny, grassy clearing, with 2 sleeping platforms (covered with thinnish foam mat), a table, and cooking bench. Outside water and toilet. Makes a great lunch stop on loop daywalk on the tracks mentioned, or easy first overnighter for the kids or beginner trampers. Some marvellous views from North/South track and from hill behind the hut on a clear day |
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The Mansion Date: June 2011 Where: Eyre Mountains/Taka Rã Haka Conservation Park Description: DOC (2) Access: 1.5-2 hours from Irthing picnic area. Comments: Ex-NZFS hut |
Top Hope Date: 2011 Where: Lake Sumner Forest Park Description: DOC (6) Access: 2 hrs from St Jacobs Hut. 8 hrs from Windy Point car park on SH 7. 6-8hrs from Tutaekuri Hut via Hope Pass. Comments: Basic hut receiving minimal maintenance. A small hot pool is located slightly up Hot Spring Stream. Grid reference-BU22.299843. |
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Top Maropea Date: October 2011 Where: Ruahine Forest Park Description: DOC (4) Access: From Triple X car park on North Block Road, 3.5 hours walking time. From Sunrise Hut, 1 hour (in good weather). Comments: Very neat, cosy ex-NZFS hut, recently re-painted and done up. Bunks with foam mattresses, fireplace, outside toilet and outside water tank. In lovely, sunny spot. Space for tents. Built in 1958. Awesome views and breathtaking scenery. |
Totara Flats Where: Waiohine Valley, Tararua Forest Park Description: DOC (35) Access: 4 hours from Holdsworth Lodge, 5 hours from Tutuwai Hut. Comments: 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 was built on unstable gravel. It is now located a few minutes to the north (near the old hut site). It takes about 30 in two separate bunk rooms. The living area has 3 tables, a big wood burner, three double gas burners, plus a separate bench area for preparing your food. There is a covered lean-to with a couple of sinks to do your washing up and ablutions. Have a look at Sayer's Hut over the river. |
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Trevor Carter Where: Upper Flats of Karamea River, Kahurangi National Park Description: DOC (12) Access: 3 hours from Thor Hut via river crossing or 4 hours via sidle and crossing of Kendal Creek. Note that Kendal Creek can be impassable during heavy rain. Comments: DOC have seperate connected accommodation with this hut. |
Triangle Where: Ruahine Forest Park Description: DOC (6) Access: 3/4 hours from Rangiwhahia Hut. Comments: An easy trip over the tops. Steep descent to hut and steep climb out. 6 bunks. |
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Trilobite Where: Cobb Valley, Kahurangi National Park Description: DOC (14) Access: 3 hours from Balloon Hut. 5 hours from Fenella Hut. Myttons Hut is less than an hour away. Comments: Typical road-end hut. Picnic table and barbecue outside. |
Triple X Date: April 2002 Where: Ruahine Forest Park Description: DOC (16) Access: 10 minutes from the road end, 3-4 hours to Sunrise Hut. Comments: Great for overnights before a trip further inland. 6 bunks. |
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Tutaekuri Date: 2010 Where: North Westland. Description: DOC (6) Access: 3 hrs from Waikiti Downs Station via Ahaura and Tutaekuri Rivers. 6-8hrs from Tutaekuri Hut to Top Hope Hut via Hope Pass. Comments: Permission required from Waikiti Downs Station (03 738 0609) to access river from road end car park. Good 3 day trip to Lewis Pass. Easy tramping providing the rivers are low |
Tutuwai Where: Tauherenikau Valley, Tararua Forest Park Description: DOC (20) Access: 5 hours from the Kaitoke road end. Comments: Set on a bank above a river flat (good camping). Gas stoves and running water. Potbelly stove. Well-built modern hut. |
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Upper Gridiron Date: Dec 2008 Where: Kahurangi National Park, topomap M27 Mount Arthur Description: DOC (3) Access: From Graham Valley Sth Branch road carpark, about 1.5 to 2 hours. From Flora Hut, about 1 to 1.5 hours. Comments: This is a gem, and a must-see. Very cute, cosy (but cold) little hut built under a rock overhang - one of the hut's walls is the rock face. Bunks with mattresses, small potbelly stove, outside sink bench with water supply, toilet, and the piece de resistance, a very comfortable swing seat suspended from the rock overhang - could sleep one more on this! Can be quite busy on weekends and holidays, but well worth a visit nevertheless. Pop into the Lower Gridiron a bit further on as well - also under a huge rock overhang. |
Upper Travers Date: September 2004 Where: Travers Valley, Nelson Lakes National Park Description: DOC (16) Access: 3 hours from John Tait Hut, 6-9 hours from the West Sabine Hut (across Travers Saddle). Comments: The original hut has been replaced by a larger hut. The new hut is in the shelter of the trees outside of the avalanche chute from Mt. Travers. Very nice, fully insulated, double glazed with a great new wood burner. |
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Upper Whirinaki Date: June 2008 Where: Whirinaki Forest Park, topomap 260-V18 Whirinaki Description: DOC (9) Access: Easiest access is from the Plateau Road carpark, in the Kaingaroa forestry area. Entry into Kaingaroa is from either the Murupara side, or off SH 5 via Pohokura Rd (there are two entry points into this road - use the western one). Use the topomap - there are signposts (marked "Whirinaki Tracks") some distance into the forest, and if these are followed, you shouldn't have a problem. The first one is at GR 175588, at point 792. Be careful though, as it is easy to get lost in the maze of forestry roads and tracks. Walking time 2 to 2.5 hours from carpark, or about 2.5 - 3 hours to/from Central Whirinaki hut. Comments: Comfortable character-filled 9 bunk hut with foam mattresses, woodburner, water supply and toilet, set in grassy clearing. Can get busy in holidays and long weekends. Wet boots unavoidable, as access is up a stream. Superb tramping though - suggest 2 night tramp via this hut, then Central Whirinaki and back to carpark via the cave. |
Venus Where: Kahurangi National Park Description: DOC (12) Access: 2-3 hours from Crow Hut. Comments: Standard New Zealand Forestry Service 70s hut design with a modification in the 80s. Top section has 4 bunks and bottom level which is like a second hut has 8 bunks. |
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