Cone Hut

Apr 25th, 2023

Apr 13th, 2022

Oct 14th, 2021

Cone Hut is the second oldest hut in the Tararuas, built in 1946 by New Zealands first tramping club, the Tararua Tramping Club. Built using local Totara timbers, it is a good example of bush carpentry, with adzed framing, and rough pitted split slab walls hewn with adzes and axes. A very rare form of construction by the 1940s. It is one of the best surviving examples of a slab hut in New Zealand. DOC wanted to move the hut to a tramping museum to be set up at Otaki Forks. However, protest by the Tararua Tramping Club led to it remaining in place and it was instead restored retaining its dirt floor. Features include an outside table, Punga long drop toilet, and a nearby swiming hole. The hut is free, six bunks. The track from the swingbridge high above the Waiohine River is a relentless 500m climb, on knobbly but well-formed track. Armies of kidney ferns, a carpet of spleenworts, liverworts and mosses cloak all available surfaces.
Sep 24th, 2021

What a rustic little gem!!! Didn't expect it to be in good condition and I was wrong! Great condition for an oldie! The hike in climbs steeply to start but eases out, the same the way back from Cone Hutt to Waiohine Gorge. Absolutely beautiful bush! Recommend to anyone who is up for a quick overnight tramp that still gives you a good challenge :)
Jul 30th, 2021