Manson Bivvy
Basic/bivvies hutKaweka Forest Park, Hawke's BayOpen
Current advisories
No drinking water at Manson Bivvy
23 June 2026
The tank water at Manson Bivvy is not in a drinkable state. If visiting, carry in water for your stay. First published on 24 May 2026. Last reviewed on 24 June 2026.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai alerts.
- Sleeps
- 2 bunks
- Booking
- Not bookable
- Heating
- None
- 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.nzA helipad is situated 50 metres from the bivouac. Flight availability and costs can be obtained from helicopter concessionaires in the central North Island.
From Manson Hut, a marked track heads north and turns right prior to reaching to Mt Manson (1448 metres altitude).
From Rocks Ahead Hut the track steeply ascends up onto Spion Kop Tops where a poled route leads west. This leads to a track junction with the route from Manson Hut to Otutu Hut. Continue towards Manson Hut until reaching another junction at Mt Manson. Choose to continue to walk towards Manson Hut until you reach a third junction. The left fork will lead up a spur to the Manson Bivouac, while the right fork leads to Manson Hut.
Caution should be applied to travel in this area, especially the open tops, when poor visibility is often accompanied by high winds and cold temperatures.
Tramping routes are either to Rocks Ahead Hut in the east, Otutu Hut to the west or to Manson Hut and onto to Kiwi Mouth Hut in the south.
We recommend 4WD vehicles to reduce wear on the road and safe travel.
- Topo map
- Topo50 sheet BJ37
- Grid reference
- E1883529, N5645039
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Map
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 39.29717° S, 176.28857° E
About this place
Manson Bivouac is located in western Kaweka Forest Park in the area known as the “Manson Country”.
Fees and bookings
Free
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
History of Manson Hut
Basic/bivvies • 8 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 2.2 km
Manson Hut is a historic hut in Hawke's Bay that was originally built in the late 1940s. It served as a musterer's hut.
Heating • Toilets - non-flush • Water from stream
Manson Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 2.5 km
Manson Hut is a hut located in the lower central section of the area known as the “Manson Country” in Hawke's Bay.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Rocks Ahead Bivouac
Standard • 4 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 2.5 km
Rocks Ahead Bivouac is a hut on the true right bank of the Ngaruroro River at the mid-western boundary of the area known as the Manson Country.
Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush • Water from stream
Kiwi Mouth Hut
Standard • 4 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 3.2 km
Kiwi Mouth Hut is a tramping stopover point in Hawke's Bay. It provides access to the southern area of Manson Country.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Back Ridge Bivouac
Basic/bivvies • 2 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 3.8 km
Back Ridge Bivouac is a hut located at the junction of the Back Ridge and Rocks Ahead tracks in the centre of the Kaweka Forest Park.
Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush • Water from stream
Walks nearby
Kiwi Saddle Hut via Mt Kuripapango
Advanced • 4 hrs • 7.8 km • 6.54 km away
Cameron Hut via Mt Kuripapango and Smith-Russell Track
Advanced • 5-6 hrs • 11 km • 6.73 km away
Lakes Carpark Loop – Rogue Ridge/Cooks Horn
Advanced • 3-4 hrs • 7.47 km away
Lakes carpark to Mt Kuripapango Track
Advanced • 2-3 hrs (one way) • 2.6 km (Lakes carpark to Mt Kuripapango one way) • 8.19 km away
Lakes carpark to Mackintosh carpark via Mackintosh Hut
Advanced • 5-6 hrs • 8.6 km away
Contact
DOC Customer Service Centre
Regional DOC service centre.
Notes from people who have been
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Sources
- OpenStreetMap Huts · ODbL (Open Database License)Contains information from OpenStreetMap, made available under the ODbL.
- DOC Huts · CC BY 4.0Data sourced from the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand.
- 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).