Sentry Box Hut (historic)
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
- 4 bunks
- Booking
- Not bookable
- Cost
- from $15
- Heating
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Not drinkable
- 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.nzThe parking area is 1 hour and fifteen minutes from Napier.
Sentry Box Hut is accessed from Mangleton Road. Follow SH50 to Maraekakaho and turn into Kereru Road. On reaching Kereru, turn onto Big Hill Road. The turnoff to Mangleton Road is on the left. Park at the DOC sign 16.5 km down Mangleton Road. Sentry Box Hut is a 10 minute walk from the parking area.
- Topo map
- Topo50 sheet BK37
- Grid reference
- E1881460, N5603865
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Map
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 39.66870° S, 176.28120° E
About this place
Sentry Box Hut is a standard 4 bunk hut in the Ruahine Forest Park.
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
Parks Peak Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 2.8 km
Parks Peak Hut is a standard six-bunk hut located in the Hawke's Bay region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Tin Hut
Hawke's Bay • 4.4 km
Upper Makaroro Hut
Standard • 4 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 4.7 km
Upper Makaroro Hut is a standard four-bunk hut located in the Hawke's Bay region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Ellis Hut
Basic/bivvies • 4 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 5 km
Ellis Hut is a historic hut located in Hawke's Bay. Built in 1884, it has been used for farming, wild animal control, and recreation.
Briens Hut
Hawke's Bay • 5.1 km
Walks nearby
Mangleton Road to Parks Peak Ridge
Advanced • 1-2 days • 1.19 km away
Masters Shelter to Golden Crown Ridge
Advanced • 2 - 3 hr one way • 4.89 km away
Parks Peak Track to Yeoman's Track
Advanced • 4-5 hr • 7.3 km • 5.49 km away
Yeoman's Track
Easy • 3 hr 30 min - 4 hr 30 min • 6.12 km away
Poutaki Track
Advanced • 2-3 hr one way • 2 km • 7.18 km away
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
- 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).