Free

From Mount Somers, follow Ashburton Gorge Road for 31 km, then Hakatere Heron Road for another 8 km. Turn right just before crossing Jacobs Stream Bridge at Castle Ridge Station. Vehicles can park on the farm track verge before the gate – be considerate of other users and farm vehicles.

It is a further 2.7 km to Lake Emily car park. This section of track may be very wet and muddy. Lake Emily car park to Manuka Hut is a 4.5 km / 1 hour 30 minutes walk/.

For mountain bike or horse access to Manuka Hut, continue past the Te Araroa junction, down the Stour River, for a further 2.5 km before turning left. Don't take mountain bikes or horses on the Te Araroa route from Lake Emily to Manuka Hut, as it's steep and easily damaged.

There is limited firewood at the hut. Do not cut down vegetation to use. 

Flooding risk

This hut is at risk of flooding during heavy rain events.

Monitor river levels during storms. Evacuate to the higher ground behind the hut if necessary.