Whariwharangi Hut
Located in Abel Tasman National Park in the Nelson/Tasman region
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Introduction
Sited in a grassy clearing in regenerating bush Whariwharangi Hut is the most northern Great Walk Hut on the Abel Tasman Track. Built around 1896, this historic hut was restored in 1980 and it is now available as a tramping hut.Facilities
- Heating
- Mattresses
- Toilets - flush
- Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
Huts on the Abel Tasman Coast Track don't have gas cooking facilities and lighting. Remember to take a portable stove and fuel, and candles with you.
Fees
1 October – 30 April
New Zealand citizens and those ordinarily resident in New Zealand:
- Adult (18+ years): $42 per person, per night
- Child (17 years and under): free but booking still required
International visitors:
- Adult (18+ years): $56 per person, per night
- Child (17 years and under): $32 per person, per night
1 May – 30 June, and September
All visitors:
- Adult (18+ years): $32 per night
- Child (17 years and under): free but booking still required
1 July – 31 August
All visitors:
- Adult (18+ years): $26 per night
- Child (17 years and under): free but booking still required
Proof of eligibility is required for the New Zealand rate.
Backcountry Hut Passes and Backcountry Hut Tickets cannot be used at this hut.
Bookings
Heritage
Built around 1896, this historic hut was restored in 1980 by the Abel Tasman Park Board. They made significant modifications and it is now available as a tramping hut.
Originally created as a farmhouse, Whariwharangi Hut was built by John Handcock who lived in the valley with his family for 15 years.
Whariwharangi was last inhabited in 1926, but farmed until 1972. During this later period the homestead served as a stockmans hut. The farms in this northern end of the Park, although the last to be retired, eventually succumbed to the impoverished granite soils.
Historic themes are pastoralism and farming. Many farms in this area had to be abandoned, and this is a notable reminder of that era and changing land use.
It's a conventional timber framed one and a half storey building, rectangular in plan. The gable roof is clad in corrugated iron, and the exterior walls are weather-board. It has a full-length veranda on the front, a full-length lean-to along the rear, and two brick chimneys; windows are double hung.
The ground floor has a central passage with a bunkroom and storage room on one side and a large main room on the other. Upstairs there are two smaller bunkrooms. There are 20 bunks in total. The interior of the hut has many original features including a built-in staircase and timber wall panelling.
Approximate times from nearest road end and hut
- Totaranui (Totaranui Road or water taxi) via Gibbs Hill Track: 3 hr (9 km)
- Wainui car park (McShane Road) via Abel Tasman Coast Track: 2 hr (5.7 km)
- Awaroa Hut via Abel Tasman Coast Track: 5 hr 35 min (16.9 km)
Tracks to this hut
Location
NZTopo50 map sheet: BN25
Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates: E1597715, N5484678
Contacts
| Whakatū/Nelson Visitor Centre | |
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| Phone | +64 3 546 9339 |
| nelsonvc@doc.govt.nz | |
| Address | Millers Acre/Taha o te Awa 1/37 Halifax Street Nelson 7010 |
| Hours | See visitor centre hours |