Kings Creek Hut | Wangapeka Track, Kahurangi National Park

Back in the 70s, they clearly expected great things of the Wangapeka Track. 20 mattresses here and at Taipo.

Kings Creek Hut has a bad rap, although there is certainly enough space internally. But it clearly needs the windows lowered and a big veranda; the benches are tired, rusty old steel surfaces, now more than 40 years old, and it just doesn’t make the most of the splendid site.

It’s a short walk/climb down to the fantastic Wangapeka River with some splendid swimming holes.

Let’s hope DOC spends some money here on a substantial renovation in the near future. The hut sure deserves it.

category . . . standard hut

hut fee . . . from 1 July 2026

Adult (18+ years): $15.00 per night
Youth (5–17 years): $7.50 per night
Child/Infant (0–4 years): free

Before you go, buy 1 Standard Hut Ticket (blue for adults, red for youth) for each night of your stay. Put this in the honesty box at the hut. A Backcountry Hut Pass is also valid year-round.

booking . . . not required all year for either hut or camping

campsite fee . . . free to camp

booking . . . not required

elevation . . . 470 m

bunks . . . 20 mattresses in two bunkrooms, each with two sleeping platforms with 5 mattresses

built . . . 1974

heating . . . woodburner

water . . . bucket and 40 m walk to stream

toilet . . . 1 x longdrop