Happy Daze Hut

Happy Daze Hut is a Department of Conservation backcountry hut in Ruahine Forest Park (Hawke’s Bay). It’s a basic four-bunk hut with plenty of camping space around it, and bookings are not required—use is first come, first served. Sleeping capacity is limited to four bunks per hut visit.

Bring water treatment: the water source is rainwater (untreated). Heating is by open fire, and there’s a pit latrine toilet on site. Free use; no DOC track markers or formed tracks lead to the hut—access is via the Makaretu River, leaving the river at the junction of the North and South Makaretu Rivers, then climbing steeply and sidling across to reach the hut.

Official website