Image: Brian Dobbie | ©
Cameron Hut.
Cameron Hut

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

Cameron Hut is located on the south-western Kaweka Forest Park Boundary on the banks of the Ngaruroro River.
  • Open fireplace suitable for cooking
  • Stream water supply from the Ngaruroro River
  • Meat safe
  • Long drop style toilet

Replace firewood used for the next occupants.

Built in the early 1960s this hut is a comfortable base for many hunting, fishing and tramping opportunities. It also provides a stopover point for access into the more remote western areas of the Kaweka Forest Park. At 540 metres altitude, this hut is positioned on a Ngaruroro River terrace. The river is an important recreation and natural resource within the park. Visitors are advised to take care, as the river can rise rapidly at times of high rainfall.

Fees

  • Adult (18+ years): $10 per night
  • Youth (5–17 years): $5 per night
  • Child/Infant (0–4 years): free

Before you go, buy 1 Standard Hut Ticket (blue for adults, yellow for youth) for each night's stay. Put this in the honesty box at the hut. Or buy a Backcountry Hut Pass that gives unlimited use at most Standard and Serviced huts for a 12 month period.

About hut tickets and passes | Retailers that sell hut tickets and passes

Walking

The Cameron Swing Bridge across the Ngaruroro River was removed in 2013 and will not be replaced. Access from the Cameron Carpark to Cameron Hut and further afield to Kiwi Saddle Hut and Kiwi Mouth Hut remains open.

Cameron Carpark (3 – 4 hr)

The route from Cameron Carpark to Cameron Hut follows the Ngaruroro River. At least 30 crossings are necessary and can only be negotiated when the Ngaruroro River is not in flood. This track is not maintained, and the true right of the river is private land.

If the river is in flood, a longer but safer alternate route is to follow the Smith-Russell track over Kuripapango Hill (1250 metres). Head towards Kiwi Saddle Hut then turn left at the next junction and descend down to Cameron Hut.

Tramping

The location of Cameron Hut offers trampers an excellent base or stop-over point. At times of low water flow levels, the Ngaruroro Riverbed becomes a pleasant route from the Cameron Carpark via Cameron Hut. The 9 km walk along the riverbed takes between 3 – 4 hours to complete. The alternative route over Kuripapango Hill is 11 km and takes 4 – 5 hours.

From Cameron Hut trampers can continue to Kiwi Mouth Hut and onwards to Manson Hut (2.5 – 3.5 hours). Longer tramps may incorporate ascending the main range from Makahu Saddle and dropping down to Back Ridge Hut. The track continues southwards along Back Ridge to reach Kiwi Mouth Hut before heading back to the Cameron Carpark.

NZMS Map 260 series U20 and the Kaweka Recreational Map 274/12 can be purchased from:

Tracks to this hut

    Location

    NZTopo50 map sheet: BJ37
    Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates: E1883641, N5637908