Image: David Finn | DOC
Upper Whirinaki Hut.
Upper Whirinaki Hut

Located in Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park in the East Coast region

A very popular hut for hunters, this is a standard nine-bunk hut.

Upper Whirinaki Hut interior.
Inside Upper Whirinaki Hut
Image: Sharlene Laskey ©

A very popular hut for hunters, with 9 bunks, a wood burner and water supply. This hut is managed by the NZ Deer Stalkers Association and Department of Conservation.

An easy round trip with undulating bush tracks, no major climbs and one section of river travel with good opportunities to see the whio (blue duck) in the river section.

A well-benched track winds its way around a bus ridge towards the Whirinaki River. Beech forest dominates here, with occasional podocarps breaking the uniformity of the canopy.

Upper Whirinaki Hut is situated at the end of the clearing. 

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

3 hr 30 min via Taumutu Stream from Central Whirinaki Hut
3 hr from Plateau Car Park

The track goes up river to Taumutu Stream and branches. Turn off to Upper Whirinaki Hut and Mangamate Hut is to your left. At the next intersection turn right (the left track leads to Mangamate Hut).  Climb a small saddle then the track drops down through forest to a clearing.

Tracks to this hut

Location

NZTopo50 map sheet: BG38
Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates: E1918874, N5697544