Maungahuka Hut
Located in Tararua Forest Park in the Wairarapa and Wellington/Kapiti regions
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Introduction
This is a standard 10-bunk hut in the Wairarapa region.Facilities
- Mattresses
- Toilets - non-flush
- Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
This hut is managed by the Greater Wellington Backcountry Network.
Maungahuka Hut is located below Maungahuka peak (1330 m) and is part of the Main Range hut network. It is a popular overnight destination for the Tararua Peaks circuit.
The current 10-bunk hut was built in 2006 to replace the original hut which was built in 1962 by the Forest Service to a 6-bunk S70 design hut.
Fees
- Adult (18+ years): $10 per night
- Youth (5–17 years): $5 per night
- Child/Infant (0–4 years): free
Before you go, buy 1 Standard Hut Ticket (blue for adults, yellow for youth) for each night's stay. Put this in the honesty box at the hut. Or buy a Backcountry Hut Pass that gives unlimited use at most Standard and Serviced huts for a 12 month period.
About hut tickets and passes | Retailers that sell hut tickets and passes
Maungahuka Hut is best accessed from Otaki Forks on the western side of the Tararua Ranges, or Holdsworth Road-end on the eastern side.
From Otaki Forks
Ōtaki Forks is 19 km inland from Ōtaki township – approximately 1 hr 30 min drive from Wellington or Palmerston North. The easiest turnoff from SH1 is at Ōtaki Gorge Road, just south of the SH1 bridge over the Ōtaki River. The last 5 km of the Gorge Rd is closed due to a slip. Access is by walking only.
There is an emergency track that you can walk to gain access to Ōtaki Forks. It is 5 km long and can be accessed 200 m past the locked gate on the Ōtaki Gorge Road.
From Otaki Forks, tramp to Kime Hut (5-6 hours) then cross the peaks to Maungahuka Hut (another 4 hours).
From Holdsworth Road end
2 km south of Masterton, turn off SH2 into Norfolk Road, which turns into Mt Holdsworth Road. Follow signs to Tararua Forest Park, about 15 km from SH2.
From here, climb to Neill Forks Hut via Totara Flats and Cone Ridge (8 hours), then continue on to Maungahuka Hut (another 3 hours).
Mangahuka Hut is 6 hours from Anderson Memorial Hut.
Tracks to this hut
Location
NZTopo50 map sheet: BP33
Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates: E1796565, N5468366
There is no heating at Maungahuka Hut so it can get quite cold. Go prepared with extra layers/warm clothing.
Visibility is often very poor on the Main Range. Only experienced and properly equipped trampers should attempt to cross the Tararua Peaks, especially during winter conditions.
Contacts
| Wellington/Kapiti information | |
| Phone: | +64 3 546 9339 |
| Email: | nelsonvc@doc.govt.nz |
| About: | Whakatū/Nelson Visitor Centre provides visitor information for this area |