Powell Hut
Serviced hutHoldsworth area, WellingtonOpen
Current advisories
Atiwhakatu Track active slip
03 August 2026
There is an active slip on this track. The slip impacts access to Atiwhakatu Hut, and Jumbo Hut if accessing Jumbo Hut via Atiwhakatu Track. Avoid this area during heavy rain. View a map showing location of slip (JPEG, 108K) First published on 23 October 2025. Last reviewed on 4 August 2026.
Predator control for part of Tararua Forest Park
02 June 2026
We distributed toxic bait pellets containing 1080 by helicopter on 19 May 2026. A caution period is in place for approximately 8 months. Visitors are advised not to take dogs into the area until the caution period has ended. 1080 is deadly to dogs. How to keep dogs safe around 1080 . This operation is part of DOC's National Predator Control Programme to protect native species. First published on 2 May 2026. Last reviewed on 3 June 2026.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai alerts.
- Sleeps
- 32 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.nzPowell Hut can be accessed via Holdsworth Road end and is on the popular Mt Holdsworth - Jumbo Circuit.
2 km south of Masterton, turn off SH2 into Norfolk Road, which turns into Mt Holdsworth Road. Follow signs to Tararua Forest Park, about 15 km from SH2.
- Topo map
- Topo50 sheet BP34
- Grid reference
- E1804184, N5471183
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. 40.88484° S, 175.42421° E
About this place
This is a serviced 32-bunk hut in the Wairarapa area.
On the way here
Holdsworth road end to Powell Hut/Mount Holdsworth · Powell Hut: 5 hr one way, Mount Holdsworth: 6 hr one way
. For fitter visitors, the tramp beyond Mountain House Shelter follows the Mount Holdsworth Track. It climbs through beech forest that reduces as the bushline and Powell Hut is approached (1200 metres).
The route to the summit of Mount Holdsworth (1470 metres) is exposed to winds but otherwise straight-forward. From Mt Holdsworth Rd the one way trip to Powell Hut is 5 hr, to Mount Holdsworth is 6 hr with a tramping pack. It may be faster with a day pack.
Powell Hut is a well-equipped hut on the
Mt Holdsworth - Jumbo Circuit · 2–3 days
The loop track is described walking from Holdsworth road end to Powell Hut, Mt Holdsworth, Jumbo Hut, returning to the road end via the Atiwhakatu track.
Holdsworth Lodge - Powell Hut
Time: 4 hr
Starting from Holdsworth Lodge, carry on along the gravel track, cross the bridge over the Atiwhakatu Stream and follow the Gentle Annie track to Mountain House Shelter. This track is well graded and offers several lookout points to Mounts Holdsworth and Jumbo - for a short side trip follow the signpost to the Rocky Lookout, which offers good views over the Wairarapa. Mountain House Shelter is a pleasant resting spot. Past Mountain House Shelter the track climbs steeply through dense bush and out onto the open tops. Powell Hut is located on the bush edge.
Powell Hut - Jumbo Hut
Time: 4 hr
Follow the track leading north-east along the main ridge to the Mt Holdsworth trig (1470 m). Follow the exposed ridge north to Jumbo Peak (1405 m). The track then descends east along a spur to Jumbo Hut. Caution: Beware of high winds, mist and icy underfoot conditions on all country above the bushline. The open tops are often not marked and difficult to negotiate in misty conditions. Those tramps should only be attempted by experienced trampers.
Jumbo Hut - Holdsworth Lodge
Time: 5–6 hr
The main track to Atiwhakatu Hut is via Raingauge Spur. Descend on the benched track immediately below Jumbo Hut. Once in the bush, follow the track down Raingauge Spur to Atiwhakatu Hut. A rain gauge was once located in a clearing half- way down the ridge. There is a section of re-routed track subsiding on this section of the circuit. Proceed with caution when walking along this slip section. The track from Jumbo Hut to Atiwhakatu Hut is rougher than the track from the Holdsworth road end to Powell Hut and Atiwhakatu Track. Expect an uneven, steep and muddy track with slippery sections and tree roots. We recommend sturdy footwear with good grip. From Atiwhakatu Hut, follow the Atiwhakatu track to Holdsworth Lodge.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Know before you go
Weather forecast
Powell Hut weather forecast – NIWA website
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 · 1 to 2 nights
Holdsworth Lodge
Walking in
4 hr
Walking out
4 hr to Holdsworth Lodge
Walking in
4 hr
Walking out
10 hr to Holdsworth Lodge (via Jumbo 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 can be used at this hut. 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 Powell 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.
On these tracks
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Atiwhakatu Hut
Standard • 26 bunks • Wellington • 3.1 km
Atiwhakatu Hut is a standard 26-bunk hut located in the Wairarapa area of the Wellington region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Jumbo Hut
Serviced • 20 bunks • Wellington • 3.7 km
Jumbo Hut is a serviced 20-bunk hut located in the Wairarapa region of Wellington.
Cooking • Heating • Mattresses
Holdsworth Lodge
28 bunks • Wellington • 5 km
Holdsworth Lodge is a hut in the Wellington region suitable for families and groups. It also serves as a starting point for the first night of a tramp into the…
Walks nearby
East Holdsworth Track
Advanced • 3.6 km • 1.52 km away
River Ridge Track
Advanced • 2 hr • 1.7 km • 1.56 km away
Atiwhakatu Track
Easy • 2-3 hr one way • 7.2 km • 2.18 km away
Gentle Annie Track
Easy • 3 hr 30 min - 4 hr return • 4.5 km • 2.94 km away
Donnelly Flat Loop Walk
Easy • 1 hr • 2.5 km • 4.27 km away
Contact
Wellington/Kapiti information
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 (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.