Image: Bev Bacon | DOC
Atiwhakatu Hut
Atiwhakatu Hut

Located in Holdsworth area and Tararua Forest Park in the Wairarapa region

This is a standard 26-bunk hut in the Wairarapa area.

Atiwhakatu Hut is a great destination for families and first time trampers.

Fees

Sunday to Friday:

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

Saturday:

  • Adult (18+ years): $15 per night
  • Child/youth (5–17 years): $7.50 per night
  • Infant: (0-4 years): free

Backcountry Hut Passes can be used at this hut. 

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

Bookings

Bookings for the 2026/27 season open at 12 noon on Tuesday 12 May 2026.  

  • If no availability shows online for your dates, the hut 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.

Bookings are required all year. Book Atiwhakatu Hut online.

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

Atiwhakatu Hut is within easy reach of Mt Holdsworth Road end approximately 15 minutes drive from Masterton. Turn off State Highway 2 onto Norfolk Road, 2 km south of Masterton. This is signposted and there is a timber processing plant on the corner. Follow Norfolk Road for about 15 km to Mt Holdsworth Road end.

From the car park, follow the Atiwhakatu Track along Atiwhakatu Stream. There is a high, narrow wire swing bridge with a one person at a time restriction, as well as a section of track that crosses a slip where some scrambling is needed. There are also some steep drop-offs beside the track.

Approximate times from nearest road and huts

Tracks to this hut

Location

NZTopo50 map sheet: BP34
Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates: E1806817, N5472972