Located in Catchpool Valley & Ōrongorongo Valley and Remutaka Forest Park in the Wellington/Kapiti region
This is a popular hut so book well in advance.
Papatahi Hut Image: Pete Blaxter | DOC
View from the deck at Papatahi Hut Image: Pete Blaxter | DOC
Inside Papatahi Hut Image: Pete Blaxter | DOC
Papatahi Hut kitchen - gas cooker, pots and plates are provided Image: Pete Blaxter | DOC
Papatahi Hut Image: Pete Blaxter | DOC
Papatahi Hut Image: Pete Blaxter | DOC
Papatahi Hut and surrounds Image: Pete Blaxter | DOC
This hut is sole occupancy and locked – refer to your booking confirmation for how to obtain the access code.
Facilities provided are:
You need to bring:
$100 sole occupancy
Bookings are open for stays from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.
Bookings are required all year.
A $10 service fee applies to all phone, email and in-person bookings.
If this hut isn't available at the time of booking, consider Coast Road Cabin at the entrance to the Catchpool Valley.
Papatahi Hut is a 3 hour 30 minute walk via Orongorongo Track, then following the Orongorongo River. Several river crossings are required.
Time: 70–90 min
Do not use this river route when the river is in flood or when there has been sustained rainfall in the area. Use the Big Bend Track instead.
Papatahi Hut is on a sharp bend on the Orongorongo River 6 km up stream from the Turere Bridge.
Follow the Orongorongo River upstream, crossing the river as required. Note the following landmarks as you go:
Just past the slip face is another shingle fan on the same side, and the river valley abruptly narrows. Continuing upstream 200 m, the river veers around an elbow with a manuka covered flat on the true right.
Look for a large orange triangle and marker poles near the entrance to an old 4WD track. Follow this for 100 m to the Papatahi Hut track, and climb the steps to the hut.
Time: 1 hr
Papatahi Hut may also be reached via the Big Bend Track. This reduces the number of river crossings and is recommended following heavy rain.
From the Turere Bridge, follow the Big Bend Track approximately 60–80 minutes to its junction with the Whakanui Track. Turn right down to the Orongorongo River and follow the directions in the Orongorongo River route description above.
NZTopo50 map sheet: BQ32
Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates: E1769108, N5423351
Check the flow of the Ōrongorongo River before you go. Do not cross the river when it's in flood or there has been sustained rainfall in the area.
Kapiti Wellington Visitor Centre | |
Phone: | +64 4 384 7770 |
Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
Email: | wellingtonvc@doc.govt.nz |
Address: |
18 - 32 Manners Street Wellington 6011 |
Postal Address: |
PO Box 10420 The Terrace Wellington 6143 |
Full office details |