Kaweka Flats Bivvy
Located in Kaweka Forest Park in the Hawke’s Bay region
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Introduction
Located in the eastern Kaweka Forest Park, Kaweka Flats Bivouac is situated 1 hour from the Makahu carpark.Facilities
- Mattresses
- Toilets - non-flush
- Water from stream
- Stream water supply
- Long drop style toilet
The bivouac was built in 1963 by the NZ Forest Service and is situated at 900 metres above sea level in a clearing at the base of Dicks Spur. The site has adequate camping space surrounding the bivouac and is an ideal location for a small hunting or tramping party. Originally this area was cleared by the turn of the last century for pastoral farming, but has since reverted to manuka and kanuka. Although relatively sheltered it can experience strong north-westerly winds and snow during winter.
Fees
Free
Walking
Makahu Saddle Carpark (1 hr)
The hut is reached via Makahu Saddle Hut which is situated at the Makahu Saddle car park (at the end of Kaweka Road). The benched track leaves from behind the hut, 5 minutes from the carpark.
Tramping
Kaweka Flats Bivouac is ideally located for a day, weekend or the start of an extended tramp. The track sidles through beech forest, in and out of sidestream gullies, in a northerly direction. It follows an old stock route which was used when grazing was prevalent between the 1860's and early 1900's. The vegetation gradually changes to thick regenerating manuka. The track carries on past the bivouac to Middle Hill Hut (3 hours), and then down to Makahu Road (another 2.5 – 3 hours). The historic iron whare can be reached from the Kaweka Flats Bivouac.
Care must be taken when negotiating stream crossings in times of high rainfall.
Tracks to this hut
Location
NZTopo50 map sheet: BJ37
Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates: E1894796, N5648564
Contacts
| DOC Customer Service Centre | |
|---|---|
| Phone | 0800 275 362 |
| napier@doc.govt.nz | |
| Address | DOC offices |