Image: Tamsen Walker | DOC
A large wooden hut perched on the side of a large hill overgrown with nature.
Pouākai Hut

Located in Egmont National Park in the Taranaki region

Pouākai Hut is Egmont National Park's most popular hut. Pouākai Hut and the nearby campsite will close from 30 September for redevelopment.

Pouākai Hut closed from 30 September 2024 to mid-2025

Pouākai Hut and the nearby campsite will close for bookings from 30 September for redevelopment. We hope to open the new hut mid-2025. 

Tramping the Pouākai Circuit will still be possible with an overnight stay at Holly Hut. Starting at North Egmont, this two-day tramp will consist of a shorter day of 3-4 hr (7.5 km) in to Holly Hut, followed by a longer day of 7-9 hr (17.5 km) back to North Egmont road end or vice versa.

Alternate overnight tramps include Maketawa Hut and Waingongoro Hut, Waiaua Gorge Hut or, in summer conditions, up to Syme Hut.

For more information contact Taranaki/Egmont National Park Visitor Centre, phone +64 6 756 0990.

Sit on the deck and enjoy views out to the Taranaki coastline, or go for a short walk to photograph reflections of Mt Taranaki in the Pouākai tarns.

An hour's tramp will take you down into the mighty Ahukawakawa Swamp with its unique flora and fauna.

Facilities and services

  • Bunks – mattresses supplied
  • Cold running water from a rainwater tank
  • Heating from a wood burner. Wood is supplied.
  • Containment tank toilet a short walk from the hut

Fees

  • Adult (18+ years): $25 per night
  • Youth (5–17 years): $12.50 per night
  • Child/Infant (0–4 years): free

Backcountry Hut Passes can be used at this hut. 

How to pay with your Backcountry Hut Pass.

Camping

Outside Pouaki Hut there is space for 2 small tents. Camping is first-come-first-served. 

Camping elsewhere is discouraged.

Fees to camp at the hut

Fees to camp at this hut are paid using hut tickets or a Backcountry Hut Pass or Campsite Pass.

  • Adult (18+ years): $10 per night
  • Youth (5–17 years): $5 per night
  • Child/Infant (0–4years): free

Before you go, buy 1 Standard Hut Ticket (blue for adults, red for youth) for each night's stay. Put this in the honesty box at the hut.

About hut tickets and passes | About campsite passes | Retailers that sell hut tickets and passes

Bookings

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.

Bookings are required all year.

Book Pouākai Hut online.

Your hut booking is for any bunk bed, not for a specific bunk bed – select your bunk bed on arrival.

Times from nearest road ends:

  • Mangorei Road end via Mangorei Track – 2 hours, 5 km.
  • Kaiauai carpark via Kaiauai Track – 5 to 6 hours, 10 km.
  • North Egmont Visitor Centre via Holly Hut Track – 5 to 7 hours, 12 km.

Tracks to this hut

Location

NZTopo50 map sheet: BJ29
Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates: E1689592, N5656608

Weather forecast

Pouākai Hut weather forecast – NIWA website

All drone use must be authorised by DOC

You must have a permit to fly a drone on public conservation land.

Visit our Drone use on conservation land page for more information.