Image: Ed Kronast | DOC
Small wooden building on concrete near trees.
Pohangina Base

Located in Pohangina Valley area and Ruahine Forest Park in the Manawatu/Whanganui region

Pohangina Base is a former DOC field centre nestled in native bush above the western bank of the Pohangina River. It has bookable bunkrooms, a communal living space and picturesque surroundings.

Location

Situated on the western bank of the Pohangina River, the Pohangina Base lodge provides an ideal base for day trips into the Ruahine Forest Park, or to explore the Kahikatea Walk or Totara Reserve Regional Park. Access to the Pohangina River is a 15 minute drive away via Piripiri bridge.

Note that the eastern boundary of the site is a high cliff – caution is required.

Room options

Bunkrooms are available for sole occupancy. In total, there are 17 beds in five bunkrooms (three external, two internal). To book the entire lodge, the campsites also need to be booked.

The lodge is made up of a main building and a secondary, external building. Two rooms are available in the main building, and three in the secondary external building..

  • Main building: Rooms with 6 bunks (#Rm1) and 2 bunks (#Rm2).
  • Secondary building: Rooms with 2 bunks (#Rm3), 4 bunks (#Rm4) and 3 bunks (#Rm5).

Campsites

Three unpowered sites are also available for camping at the adjacent campsite. Campers do not have access to lodge facilities, but can access an outdoor tap and a flush toilet and two hot showers.

Pohangina Base Campsite.

Facilities

The open plan communal living area in the lodge features kitchen, a dining area and a lounge area, all warmed by a wood burner.

  • 5 bookable bunk rooms
  • Wood burner with firewood provided
  • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use 
  • Hot showers
  • Flush toilets
  • Camping sites (bookable)
  • Mattresses are provided but you will need to take your own linen
  • Electric oven/stove top
  • Fridge/freezer
  • Toaster
  • Kettle
  • Microwave
  • Plates, bowls, mugs, glasses, cutlery, frypans, saucepans
  • 6 seated dining table
  • Picnic table

Fees

Fees are paid per room (not per person), based on $26 per available bed-space, as follows:

  • 2-bed room: $52 per night 
  • 3-bed room: $78 per night 
  • 4-bed room: $104 per night 
  • 6-bed room: $156 per night 
  • whole complex: $357 per night (does not include campsite).

Bookings

Bookings for 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026

Bookings open at 9.30 am on Tuesday 13 May 2025.

All bookings are first-come first-served. We do not have waiting lists for bookings for future seasons or facilities that are already booked-out.

Bookings for stays up to 30 June 2025

Bookings are currently open.

Bookings are required all year.

Book Pohangina Base online.

A $10 service fee applies to phone and in-person booking. This is a limited service – book online first. An in-person booking is dependent on there being space available.

Pohangina Base is located on Pohangina Valley East Road, approximately 45 minutes drive from Palmerston North.

From Ashhurst, drive north along Pohangina Road, then turn right onto Pohangina Valley East Road. As you pass the Highland Youth Camp on your right, Pohangina Valley East Road veers off to the right. Stay on this road for approximately 12 km. Pohangina Base is located on the right approximately 1 km past Takapari Road.

The facilities are locked, using combination padlocks that can be tricky to operate. The access codes for the padlocks are provided in the reservation advice email sent once the booking is confirmed. If the codes change between the booking and the booking date, then a second email will be sent. If you will be arriving after dark, take a flashlight so you can see the locks.

There is a helicopter landing site approximately 80 m from the accommodation that is occasionally used for conservation purposes. It is located on the grassy area toward the river and signposted and gated. For your safety, keep away from the helicopter landing area.