Tarn Ridge Hut
Standard hutTararua Forest Park, WellingtonOpen
Current advisories
Tarn Ridge Hut unsafe
13 September 2026
The hut is water-damaged inside due to a storm. It only provides protection from the elements. It is still open but we recommend alternative accommodation if possible. This is a long term alert. First published on 6 November 2019. Last reviewed on 14 September 2026.
Predator control Tararua Forest Park
20 May 2026
DOC and OSPRI distributed toxic cereal bait pellets by helicopter near this area on 11 and 23 March and 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 . View the distribution map (PDF, 2749K) . View the pesticide summary map First published on 3 March 2026. Last reviewed on 21 May 2026.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai alerts.
- Sleeps
- 16 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.nzTarn Ridge Hut is located below Girdlestone (1546 m). It's an important overnight shelter on the Northern Crossing.
- Topo map
- Topo50 sheet BN34
- Grid reference
- E1805522, N5481628
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Map
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 40.79064° S, 175.43594° E
About this place
This hut only provides protection from the elements. It is water-damaged from a storm in 2020. It's open but we recommend alternative accommodation if possible.
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
Dorset Ridge Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • Wellington • 2.2 km
Dorset Ridge Hut is a standard six-bunk hut located in the Wairarapa region of Wellington.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Arete Forks Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • Wellington • 3.3 km
Arete Forks Hut is a standard six-bunk hut located in the Wairarapa region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Carkeek Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • Wellington • 3.3 km
Carkeek Hut is a standard six-bunk hut located in the Wairarapa region.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Mid King Bivvy
Basic/bivvies • 2 bunks • Wellington • 4.2 km
Mid King Bivvy is a basic two-bunk hut located in the Wairarapa region.
Toilets - non-flush • Water from stream • Water supply
Dracophyllum Hut
Basic/bivvies • 2 bunks • Wellington • 4.6 km
Dracophyllum Hut is a basic two-bunk hut located in the Kapiti region.
Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
Walks nearby
Mitre Peak Track
Advanced • 2.66 km (to bush line) • 4.56 km away
Waingawa River Track (Mitre Flats to Cow Creek)
Advanced • 3 hr 30 min • 7.3 km • 4.68 km away
Blue Range to Cow Creek Hut Track
Advanced • 3 hr • 5 km • 5.7 km away
South Ohau Hut via Waiopehu and Dora Ridge
Advanced • 7-8 hr • 7.93 km away
Lower Ruamahanga Track to Cow Creek Hut, via Cow Saddle
Advanced • 5 hr from Ruamahanga Gorge Road to Cow Creek Hut • 7.94 km away
Contact
Wellington/Kapiti information
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).
- DOC Huts · CC BY 4.0Data sourced from the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand.
- OpenStreetMap Huts · ODbL (Open Database License)Contains information from OpenStreetMap, made available under the ODbL.