Kowhai Hut | Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Conservation Park
Down the hill from the popular Fyffe Hut, Kowhai Hut still gets many visits. It’s up on a clearing on a sloping river terrace with a view down the valley.
It is part of a three-day circuit over Kowhai Saddle from Hapuku Hut to the north.
Access along the Kowhai River is easier, but this involves about 12 river crossings from the Mt Fyffe carpark, and the track is not always clear.
Considering its traffic, the old New Zealand Forest Service SF 70 hut is in surprisingly good condition.
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
elevation . . . 480 m
bunks . . . 6 mattresses on bunks
built . . . 1970, renovated with new stainless steel benchtops and the original louvre windows replaced.
heating . . . Old Oregon woodburner
water . . . 3000 litre rainwater tank
toilet . . . longdrop
facilities . . . picnic table
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