Haurangi Hut is a serene all-seasons haven for family and friends or tramping newbies, with several options to get there.

Whakanui Track begins at Wainuiomata Memorial Garden and sidles to a junction with Sunny Grove Track. This sidle is the worst walking you’ll find between here and Haurangi Hut and is over within 20 minutes. From the junction it’s a good 40 minutes of steady climbing on the well-maintained Whakanui Track to the junction with McKerrow Track. Views over Wainuiomata and Akatarawa Forest Park appear just before the junction. 

Turn left and follow Whakanui Track briefly – don’t even blink or you could miss the logs blocking the start of the trapping line and East Whakanui route. Step over these and onto the trapping line. 

The way up to Pt711 is obvious. Meander through goblinesque bush where textures become increasingly rich the higher you go. Markers are annotated ‘EW’, presumably for ‘East Whakanui’. On top of Pt711 you’ll pass the East Whakanui turnoff, a route that’s now unmaintained and reputedly a touch vague in places.

The next short section back to the Whakanui Track sidle offers some wonderful glimpses of downtown Wellington to the west and the rugged Remutaka Range to the east. After regaining the main track, it’s another 90 minutes of mostly cushy walking along a broad spur to Ōrongorongo Valley. At Pt497 the track begins a solid descent, one that might well precipitate winces from anyone with niggly knees. 

The final 1km along Big Bend Track is easy walking, although a couple of sidles suggest it could be faster to use the river. Haurangi Hut arrives just after the second stream, which is bridged. 

Ōrongorongo Valley has several DOC huts, all of which must be booked. The current Haurangi Hut dates from 2010 and replaced a much older structure. Tidy and inviting, it has gas cookers, skylights and double glazing. Its expansive veranda overlooks the surprisingly dramatic ridge of the southern Remutaka Range, including the deeply gashed flanks of Papatahi directly in front. 

It is estimated there are over 200 North Island brown kiwi in the bush behind Wainuiomata, so you may hear the bird calling at night. 

Ten-bunk Haurangi must be booked in its entirety and is a great option to share with tramping newbies, family or friends. It is usually reached from the Ōrongorongo and Big Bend tracks, both of which are well-maintained, gently undulating and weaving through ancient rātā forest to Catchpool car park. 

Other ways to get to Haurangi Hut include following McKerrow Track to Ōrongorongo Track, then Big Bend Track across Tūrere Stream. Experienced trampers with time and a thirst for adventure may also enjoy navigating the East Whakanui Track, which connects the Big Bend and Whakanui tracks over Pt800.