Colenso Hut

Colenso Hut is a backcountry hut in Ruahine Forest Park, run by the Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. It’s a standard eight-bunk hut, with no booking required—use is first come, first served. A timber woodstove provides heat, and water is available from an untreated tank; the hut also has a pit latrine toilet system.

Facilities include platform bunks and mattresses, plus a fireplace. Fees are charged per night (adult $10, youth $5, children/infants under 5 free) and a Standard Hut Ticket (or a Backcountry Hut Pass) needs to be put in the honesty box for each night of stay; in October 2021 the hut was reroofed, repainted, and fitted with a new woodburner.

Official website