Located in the Opotiki area of Eastland region, the Pakihi Hut is basic but tidy and nestled in a truly spectacular location in the Urutawa Conservation Area of the East Coast.
For about 10 years, the Pakihi Valley was home to bushman author Barry Crump. He wrote books including Wild Pork and Watercress, which was turned into hit 2016 movie, Hunt for the Wilderpeople.
Image gallery
The hut is midway down the Pakihi Track, part of the Motu Trails, but it dates to the late-1960s. The hut is used by hunters, hikers and cyclists, either as a handy lunch stop or as an overnight stay.
While the hut itself is compact, with only six bunks, it has a large covered veranda and space outside for tents. Surrounded by thick forest, the hut sits just above the pretty Pakihi Stream.
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
For cyclists, the Pakihi Track is one-way only, starting from the Motu Road, 17km from Motu settlement on gravel road. For hunters, hikers and runners, the track is two-way.
The northern track access is down the Otara and Pakihi roads, 23km from Opotiki, including 9km of gravel road and two fords.
Tracks to this hut
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Duration: 6 - 7 hr Difficulty: Intermediate
Location
NZTopo50 map sheet BF41:
Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates: E1991388, N5765907
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