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