Kaiaraara Hut
Serviced hutGreat Barrier Island/Aotea, AucklandOpen
- Sleeps
- 28 bunks
- Booking
- Can book
- Cost
- from $25
- Heating
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Boil first
- Toilet
- Non-flush
Getting there
We have not checked a road end or car park for this place yet, so we do not give driving directions to it. Check how to get there before you go. Some routes cross private land and need the landowner's permission.
How to get there, on doc.govt.nz- Topo map
- Topo50 sheet AY34
- Grid reference
- E1813803, N5993028
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Map and tracks
Track lines: DOC Te Papa Atawhai. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 36.18333° S, 175.37773° E
About this place
This is a 28-bunk serviced hut on Great Barrier Island in the Hauraki Gulf islands area. The hut must be booked online in advance.
On the way here
Aotea Track · 2-3 days
Mt Heale Hut to Kaiaraara Hut
Time: 4 hr
Follow the signs to Kaiaraara Track. The track is a steep downhill track with 15 bridges including 3 suspension bridge. The summit track is an easy tramping track with many stairs going downhill and the rest of the Kaiaraara track is of day visitor standard Several kauri dams were built in this area in the 1920s to transport timber from the mountain to the sea. An estimated 7 million feet of timber was slid into the dams. Once loaded, the dams were tripped one after the other so a full blast hit the lower dam, propelling the logs into Kaiaraara Bay. The foundation timbers still remain in place but unfortunately the Kauri Dam was washed away in a storm in June 2014
Kaiaraara Hut to Whangaparapara Road
Time: 5 hr
The last day is an easy grade route with no major climbs following Forest Road. Enjoy the beautiful bush and mountain views on route including Maungapiko Lookout, Kauri Tree Route (a small stand of impressive large kauri trees), as well as extensive vistas of the bays to the west. From Forest Road follow the historic Tramline Track to The Green campsite. On the way, a 5 minute detour to Kauri Falls is an excellent waterfall swimming opportunity. You can camp at The Green campsite at Whangaparapara or exit onto Whangaparapara Road.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Trip options
Walking times come from DOC track descriptions, added up leg by leg from car-accessible trailheads. Nights and return times are ParkUp estimates, allowing about 8 hours of walking a day.
2 options · 2 nights
Hot Springs
Walking in
11 hr 30 min (via Mt Heale Hut)
Walking out
5 hr to Whangaparapara Road
Walking in
11 hr 30 min (via Mt Heale Hut)
Walking out
11 hr 30 min to Hot Springs (via Mt Heale Hut)
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai track descriptions.
Fees and bookings
1 May - 30 September
1 October - 30 April
Weekdays
Weekends
1 December - 29 February
Weekdays
Weekends
Backcountry Hut Passes are valid for use in this hut. Passes can be used unlimited for a 6 or 12 month period for most Serviced and Standard huts. How to pay with your Backcountry Hut Pass About hut tickets and passes Retailers that sell hut tickets and passes
Bookings are open for stays up to 30 June 2027. 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. Book Kaiaraara Hut online . Your hut booking is for any bunk bed, not for a specific bunk bed – select your bunk bed on arrival.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Mt Heale Hut
Serviced • 20 bunks • Auckland • 3.4 km
Mt Heale Hut is a serviced 20-bunk hut located on Great Barrier Island in the Auckland region. Bookings for the hut must be made in advance online.
Cooking • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Akapoua Bay Campsite
Standard • Auckland • 1.8 km
Akapoua Bay Campsite is a family-oriented campsite located near the sheltered waters of Port FitzRoy in Auckland. It offers easy access to many of the island's…
Boat launching • Non-powered/tent sites • Shelter for cooking
Whangapoua Campsite
Standard • Auckland • 5.8 km
Whangapoua Campsite is located on the edge of the Whangapoua estuary in the Auckland region. The site offers scenic views and is close to a popular surf break.
Non-powered/tent sites • Shelter for cooking • Shower - cold
The Green Campsite
Standard • Auckland • 6.2 km
The Green Campsite is a small walk-in or boat-in campsite located on the sheltered waters of Whangaparapara Harbour in Auckland.
Non-powered/tent sites • Shelter for cooking • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
Harataonga Campsite
Standard • Auckland • 9.2 km
Harataonga Campsite is a sheltered campground in the Auckland region. It is located close to Harataonga Beach, which is suitable for snorkeling and swimming,…
Non-powered/tent sites • Shelter for cooking • Shower - cold
Walks nearby
Kaiaraara Track to Mt Hobson (Hirakimata)
Easy • 3 - 3 hr 30 min one way • 5.6 km • 0.31 km away
Port FitzRoy: Kaiaraara Hut side tracks
Advanced • Various: 35 min - 4 hr one way • 1.14 km away
Port FitzRoy: Cooper's Castle Track
Advanced • 2 hr 30 min - 3 hr one way • 1.83 km away
Port FitzRoy: Old Lady Track
Easy • 1 hr • 2.79 km away
Forest Road (Port FitzRoy - Whangaparapara)
Advanced • 5 hr • 13 km • 3.66 km away
Contact
Hut and campsite bookings
Regional DOC service centre.
Notes from people who have been
No notes yet. If you have been, say what you found.
Something missing or out of date?
Closed, moved, wrong facts, or something we have missed? Travellers keep the Road Guide up to date. Tell us what you found at contribute@parkup.nz and we will check it and add it.
Ask us to take this down
A person reads every request. We do not remove a place until we have checked it.
Sources
- OpenStreetMap Huts · ODbL (Open Database License)Contains information from OpenStreetMap, made available under the ODbL.
- DOC Huts (API) · CC BY 4.0Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Data sourced from the DOC Developer Portal (api.doc.govt.nz).
- DOC Huts · CC BY 4.0Data sourced from the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand.