Palmer Bivvy | Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia/Clarence Conservation Park
Okay, let’s be honest. They used to drive four-wheel drives about ¾ of the way to the bivvy before some recent washouts. It’s flattish gravel with some stream crossings all the way to the long gorge that is wide and is no issue to negotiate. After that, you wind through matagouri and sweet briar with their prickles, interspaced with broom.
The last 200 m or so are more of an issue with a narrow gorge loaded with boulders. Not easy when the water levels are up and discoloured. You might prefer the scree and loose rock slope on the true left and follow the ridge until a grassy saddle where the bivvy should be visible. Actually, it’s a great view up there.
The bivvy is well preserved as few actually stay, mostly DOC contract hunters who rid the area of a few hundred goats on each visit.
category . . . basic hut
hut fee . . . free
elevation . . . 760 m
bunks . . . 2 mattresses in bunk
built . . . 1950s, but relocated and refurbished more recently
heating . . . none
water . . . from Palmer Creek, 50 m each way
toilet . . . none
← Old Boulder Forks Hut, Leatham River area Palmer Hut | Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia/Clarence Conservation Park →