Waterfall Hut
Waterfall Hut is a Department of Conservation backcountry hut in Ruahine Forest Park (Manawatū/Whanganui). It’s a standard six-bunk hut, using first come, first served with no bookings required—stay ticketing is handled via a Standard Hut Ticket placed in the honesty box at the hut for each night. The hut has a river water source and an open fire for cooking/heating, and it includes mattresses and a pit latrine toilet for waste disposal.
The hut’s history is tied to NZ Forest Service wild-animal control: it was built in 1961 (originally called Kawhatau Hut) on an older tent camp site, with materials flown in by helicopter. Route planning and navigation are required because it’s a backcountry hut with no DOC track access; plan for safe stream/river crossings if they’re on your approach.