Ruahine Hut
Standard hutRuahine Forest Park, Hawke's BayOpen
Current advisories
Predator control for Ruahine Forest Park – north-east Ruahine
05 March 2026
Toxic bait containing 1080 was distributed in the north-western area of Ruahine Forest Park on 5 March 2026. Treatment blocks can be viewed on DOC's pesticide summary . It is not safe to hunt for food or have your dog in this area for up to 8 months. Warning signs and this web alert will be removed once the area is safe again. This operation is part of DOC's National Predator Control Programme to protect native species. First published on 7 January 2026. Last reviewed on 6 March 2026.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai alerts.
- Sleeps
- 8 bunks
- Booking
- Not bookable
- Cost
- from $15
- 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.nzRuahine Hut is accessed from No Man's Road, via a private road through Big Hill Station. An access permit, obtained by ballot system, is required.
From the park boundary, travel 5km up No Man's Road. Here, a short 4WD track leads to Ruahine Hut.
- Topo map
- Topo50 sheet BK37
- Grid reference
- E1885598, N5616054
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. 39.55679° S, 176.32485° E
About this place
This is a standard eight-bunk hut in the Hawke's Bay region.
On the way here
No Man's Road area tramping tracks
No Man's Road to Diane's Hut
Time: 1 hr
Five kilometres along No Man’s Road from the Ruahine Hut turnoff, the road continues south west to reach Lessong’s Monument, built by the surveyor Lessong in the 1880’s. Eight hundred metres from the monument a track heads north from the road to reach Diane’s Hut.
Ruahine Hut to Shutes Hut track
Time: 5 - 6 hr
After travelling 5 kilometres on No Man's Road from the park boundary, a short 4WD track leads to Ruahine Hut. The track to Shutes Hut starts on the upper edge of the clearing by Ruahine Hut and heads north through regenerating manuka and kanuka and beech forest. Shutes Hut was built in 1920 and is an old rabbiters hut made of stone and held together with cement that was manually packed into the remote area. The first, and for many years the only, regular occupant was Alex Shute who led a solitary life rabbiting. He planted a small orchard nearby as well as pine and gum trees. The hut stands in a grassy clearing surrounded by pine trees. The area is popular for hunting and the nearby Taruarau river is noted for its trout fishing.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Fees and bookings
Before you go, buy Hut Tickets for each night's stay. Put these in the honesty box at the hut. Or buy a Backcountry Hut Pass that gives unlimited use at most Standard and Serviced huts for a 12 month period. Retailers that sell hut tickets and passes
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Dead Dog Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 3.3 km
Dead Dog Hut is a standard six-bunk hut located in the Hawke's Bay region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Herricks Hut
Basic/bivvies • 5 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 3.7 km
Herricks Hut is a basic five-bunk hut located in the Hawke's Bay region.
Toilets - non-flush • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use • Water supply
Dianes Hut
Basic/bivvies • 6 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 3.9 km
Dianes Hut is a basic six-bunk hut in the Hawke's Bay region. It is ideally situated for a day trip or as part of a multi-day tramp.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Taruarau Bivvy
Basic/bivvies • 2 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 5.2 km
Taruarau Bivvy is a basic two-bunk hut located in the Hawke's Bay region.
Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
Shutes Hut
Standard • 4 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 5.7 km
Shutes Hut is a standard four-bunk hut located in the Ruahine Forest Park.
Walks nearby
Contact
DOC Customer Service Centre
Regional DOC service centre.
Notes from people who have been
No notes yet. If you have been, say what you found.
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Sources
- 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).
- OpenStreetMap Huts · ODbL (Open Database License)Contains information from OpenStreetMap, made available under the ODbL.