Image: Jason Cheetham | Creative Commons
Taruarau bivvy.
Taruarau Bivvy

Located in Ruahine Forest Park in the Hawke’s Bay region

This is a basic two-bunk hut in the Hawke's Bay region.

The Taruarau Bivouac was built in 1960 by the New Zealand Forest Service. Situated at 1100 m altitude, there are extensive views to the Kaweka Ranges to the north. Taruarau Bivouac is located west of the main ridge down a spur and on the edge of the beech forest. This area is very exposed to westerlies. High rainfall and snow can occur at any time of the year.

In January 2022 this bivvy was renovated by Backcountry Trust volunteers, and paint was donated by Dulux.

Fees

Free

Taruarau Biv can be accessed from No Man's Road, via a private road through Big Hill Station. An access permit and key, obtained via a ballot system, is required.

From the park boundary, travel on No Man's Road for approximately 10km (5km past the Ruahine Hut turnoff). The road continues south-west to reach Lessong's Monument. 800m past the monument, the track to Diane's Hut heads north from the road. From Diane's Hut, a track climbs steadily to the Taruarau Ridge, with views to the Kaweka Range.

Tracks to this hut

Location

NZTopo50 map sheet: BK37
Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates: E1880793, N5617953