Image: Demelza Low | DOC
Photo of a hut in a clearing surrounded by forest.
Triplex Hut

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

This is a standard 12-bunk hut in the Hawke's Bay region.

The name of the hut originates from the finding of a shirt labelled “XXX” which was the only clue found of a missing pilot (Hamish Armstrong) who crashed into the ranges above Sunrise Hut in 1935.

The original hut was constructed in 1973 by the New Zealand Forest Service. Triplex Hut is located quite close to the roadend at 630m above sea level, making it a popular recreational base for school/family groups and novice overnight trampers.

The hut has 12 bunks in two separate bunkrooms, tank water supply and a woodburner for heating.

Fees

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

Backcountry Hut Passes can be used at this hut. 

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

Bookings

Bookings for the 2026/27 season open at 12 noon on Tuesday 12 May 2026.  

  • If no availability shows online for your dates, the hut is fully booked.
  • No spaces are kept for visitors arriving without a booking.
  • Phone and in‑person bookings made at a visitor centre incur a $10 service fee.
  • Same‑day bookings are available online until 8 pm if spaces remain.

Bookings are required all year.

Book Triplex Hut online

Your hut booking is for any bunk bed, not for a specific bunk bed – select your bunk bed on arrival.

Triplex Hut is accessed from North Block Road. From State Highway 50, turn towards the ranges onto Wakarara Road. After 20 km, turn left into North Block Road and continue to the road end. The last 4 km of this road travels through private farmland. Do not disturb stock and leave gates as you find them.

From the car park, follow the farm track for approximately 10 minutes. Triplex Hut is just inside the park boundary.

Tracks to this hut

Location

NZTopo50 map sheet: BK36
Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates: E1873799, N5590232