Shutes 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
- 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.nzShute's Hut is accessed from No Man's Road, via a private road through Big Hill Station. An access permit, obtained through a ballot system, is required.
After travelling 5 km from the park boundary on No Man's Road, a short track leads to Ruahine Hut. The track to Shute's Hut begins on the upper edge of this clearing and heads north through regenerating manuka, kanuka and beech forest.
- Topo map
- Topo50 sheet BK37
- Grid reference
- E1883194, N5621456
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. 39.51178° S, 176.29254° E
About this place
This is a standard four-bunk hut in the Ruahine Forest Park.
On the way here
Comet Road end to Shutes Hut · 2-3 hr
A track leads from the end of Comet Road to the Taruarau River and on to Shutes Hut in the northern Ruahine Forest Park.
Shutes Hut is a quaint historic building made of local stone and cement mortar. It was built in 1920 and used first as a rabbiters hut and then by musterers. The hut is maintained to ensure its historic integrity is retained.
No Man's Road area tramping tracks
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.
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.
1 option · 2 nights
No Man's Road
Walking in
15 hr (via Diane's Hut, Dead Dog Hut, Herricks Hut)
Walking out
15 hr to No Man's Road (via Diane's Hut, Dead Dog Hut, Herricks Hut)
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai track descriptions.
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
Dianes Hut
Basic/bivvies • 6 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 3.5 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 • 3.9 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
Ruahine Hut
Standard • 8 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 5.7 km
Ruahine Hut is a standard eight-bunk hut located in the Hawke's Bay region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Dead Dog Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • Hawke's Bay • 7.4 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 • 9.3 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
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 (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.