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New Zealand Huts from Q to S |
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Rangiwhahia Where: Ruahine Forest Park. Description: DOC (12) Access: 2 hours from road end in the Ruahine's. Comments: Easy trip to tops with fantastic views of the central North Island mountains. 12 bunks and gas. |
Roaring Stag Date: August 1997 Where: Northern end of eastern Tararua Ranges, Tararua Forest Park. Map reference NZMS 260 S25 498-232. Description: NZDA (15-20) Access: Approx. 3 hours walk from the Putara Road end. Comments: Was in a poor state of repair when last visited but may have had some repair work since. |
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Rocks Where: On a high ridge north of the Pelorus River, Richmond Forest Park Description: DOC (20) Access: 6 hours from the outskirts of Nelson City. 2.5 hours down to Middy Hut. 5 hours from Browning Hut. Comments: The most luxurious hut in the park. Flush toilets, great views, 4 sleeping platforms, wekas resident nearby (and maybe kiwi as well). |
Roebuck Where: Headwaters of the Pelorus River, Richmond Forest Park Description: DOC (6) Access: 4 hours from Middy or Browning Huts. Comments: A remote, cosy hut in a great location (sandflies!). An unmaintained track heads up the ridge behind to Mt. Fell and further towards Mt. Richmond (a strenuous 8-9 hours to the next hut - Mt. Richmond Hut - before Johnson Peak). |
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Routeburn Falls Where: Beside the Routeburn Falls, Mt. Aspiring National Park Description: DOC (48) Access: 1.5 hours up from Routeburn Flats Hut, 5-6 hours from Mackenzie Hut. Comments: The DOC hut is the far roof (with the great view), the warden quarters are off to the left and the private hut for guided walkers is nearest the camera. This is a Great Walks hut that has to be booked in advance. You can only stay one night and there is no room for camping. The roof shelters 2 separate buidings, one for the cooking (gas stoves) and living area and another for the bunkhouse. The bunkhouse can be dark since it only has skylights to conserve heat. |
Routeburn Flats Where: Under the Routburn Falls, Mt. Aspiring National Park Description: DOC (20) Access: 1 hour down from Routeburn Falls Hut, 2.5 hours from the road end and shelter. Comments: This is a Great Walks hut that has to be booked in advance as does camping on the flats. You can only stay one night. Gas stoves. |
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Ruakawa Lodge Where: Orongorongo River, Tararua Forest Park Description: DOC (14) Access: 2 hours from the Catchpool carpark Comments: A "bush cabin" - book at the ranger's station at the entrance to the park. Ford the river about 150 metres down-river from the bridge over the Turere Stream. |
Sabine Where: Lake Rotoroa, Nelson Lakes National Park Description: DOC (10) Access: 5 hours from West Sabine Hut, 8 hours from Speargrass Hut, 6 hours along Lake Rotoroa from the road-end (ranger station, etc.). Comments: Sandfly alert - use plenty of insect spray, keep the door closed. Glimpse of the lake from the hut - better views from the jetty. Radio to call the water taxi. |
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Salisbury Where: Tablelands, Kahurangi National Park Description: DOC (30) Access: 5 hours from the Cobb Valley, 4 hours from Flora Saddle, 4 hours from Mt. Arthur Hut. Comments: A big beautiful hut. Four large sleeping platforms with mattresses. Gas cookers (2 sets of 4 rings) and 2 gas heaters. May get crowded at popular times. Fill in any spare time with walks to: Dry Rock Shelter, Gordon's Pyramid, the Sphinx Valley Cave. |
Sayers Where: Near Totara Flats, Tararua Forest Park Description: NZDA (8) Access: About 20 minutes from Totara Flats Hut and 2.5 hours from the farm track at Mangatarere. Comments: Sleeps 6 comfortably and is a good alternative if Totara Flats Hut is full. You have to be careful if it is raining as you need to cross the river to get back. It is owned by the local NZDA and is mostly a hunters destination. It is an interesting hut with a lot of character. |
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Shamrock Where: Orongorongo River, Rimutaka Forest Park. Description: DOC (8) Access: About 3.5 hours from the Catchpool road end. Comments: A "bush cabin" - book at the ranger's station at the entrance to the park. Follow the Orongorongo Track to the river, the Big Bend track or river bed upriver for an hour and then the 4-wheel drive track for 20 minutes to the hut. |
South Ohau Where: South Ohau River, Tararua Forest Park. Description: LWTC (12) Access: Less than 2 hours down from Te Matawai Hut, 3 hours from Poad's Farm (2 hours river travel). Comments: A nice little hut accessed from Butcher Creek (where it meets the South Ohau). 12 would be cramped, 10 cosy, 8 comfortable. 1 sleeping platform and 4 mattresses. Potbelly stove. Water from creek. Picture courtesy of the Levin Waiopehu Tramping Club |
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Speargrass Where: Speargrass Creek, Nelson Lakes National Park Description: DOC (6) Access: 8 hours from Sabine Hut (6 hours via the new route). 3 hours from the Mt. Roberts carpark. Comments: A small cosy hut at the top of a clearing. Water from Speargrass Creek (about 2 minutes walk). |
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