Whareroa Hut

Directions

Start Location

Whareroa Farm info bay, opposite Mackays Crossing

Distance to Hut

1.2km to 90m elevation

Your Directions

Visit the info bay and find the ‘Forest Loop Walk’ route to the Hub. Walk along sealed track, past toilets, until you reach a junction sign, turn towards ‘Coastal Lookout’, crossing the footbridge for the more scenic direction of this route (inclines through bush, 1km) or turn right to go through kiss gate to the ‘Farm Race’ (mostly flat along old farm road, no shade cover, 1km). You’ve reached the Hub when you see the caravan. From here, look south, up the hill towards the nikau palms and Matai Bush. That’s where you are heading. There are two ways up to the hut:

Route #1: Follow the track uphill from the Hub along the grass path towards the farm gate. Climb over the style at the gate and continue to follow the grass path uphill. You’ll pass the Matai Tree sign, stop for a big tree hug and then keep climbing. Follow the track through the long grass until you reach the hut.

Route #2: Go back a little way to where the farm race crossed the stream at the entrance to the Hub. Climb over the stile on your left and follow the Ti Kouka Loop track as it follows the western side of this stream uphill. At the top of this path, cross the small bridge and follow the grass path out to clearing. Look up and let the joy of being within view of the hut sweep through you. Head up through the long grass towards the hut.

Nearest Train Station

4km from Paekākāriki Station

Safety Notes

Latch back the doors when sitting in the hut. Whareroa is still a working farm so no dogs are permitted and there is a year-round fire ban.

Allow 1-3 hours for a return trip, with rests. Consider making this hut journey a day trip, there are plenty of great picnic spots at the Hub and just below the hut. Steep inclines are unavoidable so take it easy. Bring a picnic or packed lunch and remember: Everywhere you go, always take your rubbish with you.

While there are shaded route options being sun smart is recommended, the last leg to the hut is exposed through long grass (potential allergy and asthma risk). There are toilets at the Hub and by the Info Bay.

Travel Notes

This is a great location to bring your bike, bike the Farm Race and park at the Hub for a shorter walk to the hut. If you want to make a day of it there are plenty more walking and mountain biking tracks though the reserve, Download the Whareroa Farm map.

Download for offline use

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Whareroa Hut

Start Location

Distance to Hut

Your Directions

Nearest Train Station

Safety Notes

Travel Notes

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