Waitawheta Hut
Serviced hutKaimai Mamaku Conservation Park, WaikatoOpen
Current advisories
Kauritatahi Hut Track closed
05 July 2026
A significant land slip has occurred on the track to Kauritatahi Hut. The track is closed until further notice as it is blocked by heavy debris, vegetation and large boulders. Do not attempt to cross this slip. First published on 24 August 2022. Last reviewed on 6 July 2026.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai alerts.
- Sleeps
- 26 bunks
- Booking
- Can book
- Cost
- from $12.50
- 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.nzThe hut is reached via Waitawheta Tramway, which starts about 11 km from Waihi.
In Waihi, turn off SH 2 onto Kenny Street. Turn right into Victoria Street and follow this as it becomes Frankton Road, then Waitawheta Road. After about 9 km, turn off Waitawheta Road into Franklin Road. Follow this to the parking area at the end.
- Topo map
- Topo50 sheet BC35
- Grid reference
- E1847987, N5843046
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. 37.52622° S, 175.80620° E
About this place
This is a serviced 26-bunk hut in the Tauranga area.
On the way here
Waitawheta Tramway · 8 hr (return), 3-4 hrs one way
Follow the Waitawheta Tramway, stopping at the various information signs to find out when, why and how the tramway was built. The tramway is relatively flat, and nice and wide. After about an hour and a half the track crosses a large suspension bridge to the site of a replica logging bogie (a tram cart that carried the massive logs). This is a great spot for lunch and to spend time taking photographs. A short loop track near to the logging bogie offers a detour to the site of an electricity pylon dating from around the year 1900. To complete a shorter, easier trip, return from the logging bogie back down the tramway to the car park. Alternatively, continue south along the tramline through the spectacular Waitawheta Gorge. The main track requires one river crossing but there is a bypass track that requires just a few small side stream crossings. The main track then leaves the river and through a campsite before reaching the toilet bowl waterfall, the Waitawheta Hut, and the site of the old logging mill. Return via the same track, or spend the night to explore more of the park.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Know before you go
Weather forecast
Waitawheta Hut weather forecast – NIWA website
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Fees and bookings
1 May - 30 September
1 October - 30 April
Weekdays
Weekends
1 December - 29 February
Weekdays
Weekends
Camping
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 Waitawheta Hut or campsite 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
Daly's Clearing Hut
Standard • 16 bunks • Waikato • 6 km
Daly's Clearing Hut is a standard 16-bunk hut located in the Tauranga area.
Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
Hardys Hut
Waikato • 4.8 km
Te Rereatukahia Hut
Serviced • 12 bunks • Bay of Plenty • 7 km
Te Rereatukahia Hut is a serviced 12-bunk hut located in the Bay of Plenty region. Bookings must be made online in advance.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Te Aroha Holiday Park
Waikato • 8.8 km
Katikati Naturist Park
Bay of Plenty • 9.2 km
Katikati Naturist Park is a campsite located in the Bay of Plenty region. The provided data does not include specific details about its facilities or amenities.
Walks nearby
Pylon Peak Summit Loop
Advanced • 6-7 hr • 4.4 km to the summit, 13.7 km • 4.38 km away
Waipapa Track to Waitawheta Hut
Advanced • 3 hours • 4.71 km away
High-Level Pack Track
Advanced • 2 hr 30 min • 4.3 km • 4.92 km away
Lindemann Loop Track
Advanced • 5 hr • 11 km • 4.97 km away
Daly's Clearing Loop Track
Advanced • 4 hr • 7.5 km • 5.59 km away
Contact
Hut and campsite bookings
Regional DOC service centre.
Notes from people who have been
No notes yet. If you have been, say what you found.
Something missing or out of date?
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A person reads every request. We do not remove a place until we have checked it.
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.