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
The lodge is made up of a main building and a secondary, external building. 17 beds are available in five bunkrooms:
- main building: two-person bunkroom and six-person bunkroom.
- secondary external building: two-person bunkroom, three-person bunkroom and four-person bunkroom.
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.
Facilities
The open plan communal living area in the lodge features kitchen, a dining area and a lounge area, all warmed by a woodburner.
- Five bookable bunkrooms
- 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
- Six seated dining table
- Picnic table
Fees
Fees are for each bunkroom.
- Two bunkrooms sleep two people.
- One bunkroom sleeps three people.
- One bunkroom sleeps four people.
- One bunkroom sleeps six people.
1 May - 30 September
Two-person bunkroom
- $52 per night
Three-person bunkroom
- $78 per night
Four-person bunkroom
- $104 per night
Six-person bunkroom
- $156 per night
1 October - 30 April
Two-person bunkroom
- Weekdays: $61 per night
- Weekends: $70 per night
Three-person bunkroom
- Weekdays: $92 per night
- Weekends: $105 per night
Four-person bunkroom
- Weekdays: $22 per night
- Weekends: $140 per night
Six-person bunkroom
- Weekdays: $184 per night
- Weekends: $210 per night
1 December - 29 February
Two-person bunkroom
- Weekdays: $82 per night
- Weekends: $94 per night
Three-person bunkroom
- Weekdays: $123 per night
- Weekends: $141 per night
Four-person bunkroom
- Weekdays: $164 per night
- Weekends: $188 per night
Six-person bunkroom
- Weekdays: $245 per night
- Weekends: $281 per night
Bookings
Bookings are open for stays up to 30 June 2027.
- If no availability shows online for your dates, the lodge is fully booked.
- No spaces are kept for visitors arriving without a booking.
- Phone and in‑person bookings made at a visitor centre incur a $10 service fee.
- Same‑day bookings are available online until 8 pm if spaces remain.
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.
Hut and campsite bookings
| Phone: | +64 7 867 9080 |
| Email: | kauaerangavc@doc.govt.nz |
DOC Customer Service Centre
| Phone: | 0800 275 362 |
| Email: | manawatu@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: | Te Papaioea / Palmerston North Office |