Image: DOC
Waitewaewae Hut.
Waitewaewae Hut

Located in Ōtaki Forks area and Tararua Forest Park in the Wellington/Kapiti region

This is a standard 16-bunk hut in the Kapiti region.

This hut is managed by the Greater Wellington Backcountry Network.

The current Waitewaewae Hut was built in 1991 on the banks of the Otaki River, It was built to replace the original hut, located 2 km upstream.

The original hut was built by the Hutt Valley Tramping Club in 1950. The new hut is located on the site of Whareiti bivvy - the first hut in the area, which was built in 1936.

Fees

  • Adult (18+ years): $15 per night
  • Youth (5–17 years): $7.50 per night
  • Child/Infant (0–4 years): free

Before you go, buy a hut ticket online for each night's stay. You can print or display the digital ticket on your device, or write down the ticket and confirmation numbers to take with you. You can also buy a Backcountry Hut Pass that allows you to stay at non-bookable DOC huts for a 12 month period.

Backcountry hut ticket terms and conditions

Te Araroa – The Trail Pass

Te Araroa Trail walkers should register and purchase the Te Araroa Trail Pass.

The hut is best accessed from the western side of the Tararua Forest Park via the Otaki Forks entrance.

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. 

Approximate times from nearest road and huts

Tracks to this hut

Location

NZTopo50 map sheet: BP33
Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates:  E1794459, N5477450