Atiwhakatu Hut
Atiwhakatu Hut is a DOC backcountry bunk hut in the Tararua Forest Park, in the Wairarapa region. It’s a standard 26-bunk hut in the Holdsworth area, with cooking/dining space and separate bunkrooms.
Access is via the Atiwhakatu Track along Atiwhakatu Stream from Mt Holdsworth Road end (about 3 hours from there, and 2–3 hours one way to/from nearby road access). The approach includes a high, narrow wire swing bridge with a one-person-at-a-time restriction, plus a crossing over a slip where some scrambling is needed; there are also steep drop-offs beside parts of the track.
The hut has drinking water available as untreated water, toilets (pit latrine disposal), and a fireplace. Bookings are required; stays are booked for bunk-bed use, and no spaces are kept for walk-ins if the hut is fully booked. Standard bookings run up to 30 June 2027.
Fees apply by day and age, with rates listed for Sunday to Friday and for Saturdays, and hut fees updating from 1 July 2026 (including hut and sole occupancy fees). Backcountry Hut Passes can be used at this hut. A cooking area and bunk sleeping are the core facilities, so plan on bringing what you need for your stay and water treatment.