• 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

Previously there has been vehicle access to Kawhatau Base through private land but this access is no longer available.

Access is now by walking up the Kawhatau River from the Rangitane road bridge across the Kawhatau River. Please note this route may not be accessible during times of high river flow.

To get to the Rangitane road bridge, head just north from Mangaweka and turn right off SH1. Cross the Rangitikei River and follow Kawhatau Valley Road. This eventually leads to Upper Kawhatau Valley Road which becomes Rangitane Road.