This has to be my favourite hut in the Kaimai ranges. It has multiple choices for the walk in and is super cute, warm and cosy inside. The only down side is you can’t book it – which can cause a bit of anxiety when taking kids. I have yet to take my kids up to this one – something better has always come up for them to back out (a birthday party or football 🙄).

I had been waiting to blog about this hut until the kids came with me, but I can’t hold back any longer. This hut is actually kind of where Forest Family NZ started I guess – I had just moved to Omokoroa and met Tammy and had found out she was a kindred spirit, so she came along for my annual birthday hike.

This first time up to Te Rereatukahia Hut, we walked in along the Tuahu track on a Friday in the peak of summer, we were joined by some hunters, a solo mountain runner and another couple who pitched their tent – the hut was full (12 bunk). Sometime during the night another group of about 6 or 7 people rocked up, they had finished work in Auckland that evening, drove down, then walked up in the dark. We found them in the morning sleeping uncomfortably on the minimal deck outside (another downside to not being able to book).

After a classy evening of cheese and crackers with wine and a never that great hut sleep, we came out the Wharawhara Link track to Hot Springs road – back then you could loop back to hot springs road through a Kauri Grove, but that is closed now. For Bay of plenty peeps, you could leave a car at the Wharawhara road end as a loop alternative – From the Waikato side you go up and back along the Tuahu track.

I have been up to stay and just for day trips multiple times and love it every single time. Hopefully one day soon I’ll get my kids up there with me – one time I went up to stay, a group of 4 teenagers (17-19) had walked up, they had been doing this since they were kids but this was their first overnighter without their parents – so awesome to see! This is what I want for my kids 🤞

Click the link above for track info.

Anita 🥜🌿✌️