Called ‘Paua’, the hut was one of scores already dotted down the valley. Upcoming Events and Club Nights. It was built in 1929/30 and is the oldest hut in the Orongorongo valley. Date: 9-11 October 2020. Location: Remutaka Forest Park. Some materials were strapped onto pack frames and carried in. This is a very popular area for birding, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Backcountry hut passes and hut tickets are not valid for the booked huts. The club particularly supports the continued presence of huts and their extended use. Jul 8, 2014 · In 2012 Allan Sheppard undertook a massive project - photographing 50+ huts in the Orongorongo Valley. Author: Tony S. The project took him many long weekends and multiple attempts to locate the elusive Wai Whare. Oct 17, 2018 · Standard huts have bunks or sleeping platforms with mattresses, a toilet and water supply. Today we have tramper, photographer and tramping author Shaun Barnett on to talk about the Orongorongo track near Wellington. Advance bookings are required and can be made via the DoC site. Continuing down the valley we were reunited with Turere Stream, and more usefully, a map of the valley! I took a photo and we set off across the Ōrongorongo River in search of Jans Hut. Make a Booking. govt. This is a popular site so book well in advance. At this point you rejoin the Big Bend Track. Follow the Coast Road for 10 km to the Remutaka Forest Park entrance, then follow the Catchpool valley road for 2 km to the car park and information area. Turere Lodge sits atop a flat, sheltered outcrop overlooking the Orongorongo River, surrounded by forest. Coordinates: 41°25′S 174°54′E. A short history of hut building. For writer Rebecca Jamieson, whose father (and friends) built her family hut in 1971, these rambshackle huts are like a long-lost friend. Some of the huts date back to the 1920s and there are over 50 huts left in the valley. nz. 3456315882 Longitude: 174. They would walk through the Gutsbuster, down to the DSIR and back out to the catchpool for their 5pm pick up. Turere Bridge (end of Ōrongorongo Track) to Haurangi Hut via Big Bend Oct 17, 2018 · This entry was posted in Architecture/design, History, Hut systems and tagged alpine huts, Asbestos Cottage, Baches, Chaffey Hut, Cobb Valley Tent Camp, Cone Hut, Cupola Hut, Department of Conservation Huts, Field hut, Gouland Downs Hut, Hopeless Creek Hut, hut design, Hut systems, Kime Hut, McKay Hut, Meg Hut, monument Hut, Mueller Hut, New Catchpool valley is 12 km south of Wainuiomata. Mar 25, 2024 · Orongorongo Valley Water Catchment. One day I'll share my thoughts - maybe once I've prepared a submission on the draft Wellington Conservation Management Strategy when it finally comes out! A great collection of historical and modern photos of the huts, people and flora and fauna of the Orongorongo Valley near Wellington. Shaun is the author of the book Tramping: A New Zealand History and Back Country Huts of New Zealand. Aerial view of the Ōrongorongo Valley. If the water is flowing over the ford on the road, park before the ford and use the Nga Taonga Nature Walk to reach the car park. He regularly takes his 3 children tramping and says the Orongorongo tracks in the Remutaka Forest A great collection of historical and modern photos of the huts, people and flora and fauna of the Orongorongo Valley near Wellington. But it is a peculiarity of the valley that, for nearly 60 years until 1980, the Wellington Water Board, which administered the area, allowed private hut-building. Oct 19, 2018 · Play MP3 in browser. Wed 21 Aug @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Trip type: EM tramp. to the 1920s and over 50 private huts are left in the valley today. In 1987 the Department of Conservation took over management of the valley from the Forestry Service. "This collection of photographs was initiated to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Taihoa Hut which occurred in 2013"--Page [3]. Apr 12, 2018 · This is a private hut that is always open. Example 1: Hopeless Creek Hut, 6 bunk, climbers hut located in a spectacular setting. Jun 11, 2007 · Yep, I posted this in 2007. Volunteers from the trust and local tramping groups spent two years controlling stoats in a 1000 hectacre area to provide a safe habitat for the release A great collection of historical and modern photos of the huts, people and flora and fauna of the Orongorongo Valley near Wellington. The Rimutaka Forest Park Trust began releasing North Island brown kiwi into the park in May 2006. Jun 17, 2024 · Catchpool Valley once featured private huts used for accommodation before entering the Remutaka Ranges. History. Jul 12, 2021 · Ōrongorongo Track. Campground with toilets, showers, and gas barbecues. Phone: +64 3 546 9339. Bookings are open for stays up to 30 June 2025. The closest accommodation to the Orongorongo Track is Raukawa Hut, which has 14 bunk and costs $135-160 per night for adults. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 38 min to complete. They were legally established at The Orongorongo Valley is home to 50 privately owned bush huts which have provided generations of families the opportunity to regulary connect with nature. Some hut owners either left the valley or passed on and these huts were taken over by DOC. Phone (s): 04 3847770. Website: Visit the DOC website. The valley becomes narrower and rougher but we had no trouble crossing the river. It includes Orongorongo Valley and its booked huts with walks for all ages and fitness levels. Discover this 6. The trail begins from the main car park, next to the small information shelter. The huts have a unique historical character and are examples of great kiwi ingenuity. The private huts are licenced until 2050 or the death of the current owners - many who Not only are the huts unique in look but in name christened with titles like Bedlam, Stonehem, Bushman’s Arms, Tijuana, Boar Inn, Shalimar and Erewhon. These weirs consisted of one on the Orongorongo River and two on smaller tributaries. orongorongoclub. January ‎2022. 1-mile out-and-back trail near Wellington, Wellington. Jun 18, 2023 · Most are further up the valley than the Orongorongo Track but you can extend your hike overnight to stay there. From the 1930s, regular visitors built huts in the valley. All bookings are first-come first-served. 50 for youth. Feb 10, 2021 · Paua Hut and Mt Matthews. It’s an idyllic location at the end of a 6. $5 per night for adults, $2. Location: 1039 Coast Road, Wainuiomata, Lower Hutt. Tainui is a true bush hut, built in 1938-39 to house the then newly-formed Customs Tramping Club, later affiliated as the Tainui Tramping Club. There’s something quite strange about opening the door to a bush hut in New Zealand and knowing it’s yours exclusively for the night. Bane's was taken down quite recently as the river has shifted to the point that it aparently ran through the floor of the hut at times making repairs to the hut pointless. It has said that no huts can be transferred to other people, so the ownership of the huts reverts to DoC when the current licence holders A great collection of historical and modern photos of the huts, people and flora and fauna of the Orongorongo Valley near Wellington. The Ōrongorongo River runs for 32 kilometres (20 mi) southwest through the Ōrongorongo Valley in the southern Remutaka Ranges of the North Island of New Zealand. Paua Hut A page with information relating to the Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club hut in the Orongorongo Valley of the Remutaka Park, including location, facilities, and how to book. I had never stayed in Paua Hut (the club hut in the Orongorongo Valley) and also had not been up Mt Matthews for over four years. Construction of weirs on the Orongorongo River, Big Huia Creek, and Little Huia Creek began in the year 1921. Grandad drove Dad and his mate Dave McGinity down to the park in the little Humber 80 after a cooked breakfast at 5am. The Orongorongo Valley is home to 50 privately owned bush huts which have provided generations of families the opportunity to regulary connect with nature. Bookings can be made via the online booking system or by contacting the DOC Wellington Visitor Centre. Follow the red triangles for another 50 m to a turn off and climb up to Haurangi Hut. Basic info: serviced 4-bunk hut in the Wellington region. Jan 1, 2014 · Share with friends. Ricky French examines what will happen when occupancy licences expire in 2050. The huts add unique historical, cultural and social character to the valley and are examples of great kiwi ingenuity. To get there, follow Coast Road for 10km to the entrance of Remutaka Forest Park, then follow Catchpool Valley Road for 2km to the car park and information area. Catchpool Valley trail is open during summer (daylight savings) from 6am to 8pm and in winter from 6am A great collection of historical and modern photos of the huts, people and flora and fauna of the Orongorongo Valley near Wellington. View Google Map. A great collection of historical and modern photos of the huts, people and flora and fauna of the Orongorongo Valley near Wellington. Huts are not standard in most parts of the world; and certainly not the easiest way to connect with nature—they limit your camping and hiking availability options, you’re dependent on other people not filling the hut up first, and you have to put up with noisy people all night, as well as the potential for your personal A great collection of historical and modern photos of the huts, people and flora and fauna of the Orongorongo Valley near Wellington. Catchpool Centre is also available for bookings, functions, conferences, and family events. Octagonal-shaped with free-standing roof, the frame-work is entirely of Manuka, cut from a stand across the river, and covered with flattened sheet iron which was brought through the 5-Mile Track a two A great collection of historical and modern photos of the huts, people and flora and fauna of the Orongorongo Valley near Wellington. These huts are sole occupancy, and it is essential to book. The private huts in the Ōrongorongo Valley were built before the valley became public conservation land. I’ve always found New Zealand’s backcountry situation amusing. In 1978 the Orongorongo Club was established by a number of regular users of the valley who shared a common interest in the preservation of the valley’s unique heritage. Erika and Uta consult the map in the Orongorongo Valley. Fifty private huts, hidden in native bush in the Orongorongo Valley near Wellington, have played an important role for generations of families. FoxGlove – President’s Round. . After lunch we continued travelling upstream. A real shame. Trampers: Amanda, Dan, Ellie, Suzanne, Tony S. Mar 18, 2014 · In 1978 the Orongorongo Club was established by a number of regular users of the valley who shared a common interest in the preservation of the valley’s unique heritage. The trail starts at the Catchpool Valley car park where Catchpool Valley is the most popular entrance to Remutaka Forest Park. About: Whakatū/Nelson Visitor Centre provides visitor information for this area. At the time the huts were built, licensees were issued with legally binding agreements to use their huts. Bane was one of only 2 Totara Slab huts still in the North Island (maybe all of NZ) the other being Cone hut in the Tararuas. Mar 18, 2014 · Dad started exploring the Orongorongo Valley in the early 60s as a young boy. It was the first ever kiwi translocation planned and executed entirely by an independent trust. (543) Catchpool Valley is the most popular entrance to Remutaka Forest Park. Why? The Department of Conservation now administers the Orongorongo Valley and we pay a licence fee of $630 a year. The hut is accessed by crossing the Orongorongo River, is locked and must be booked in advance to gain access. Wood burning heaters are provided at huts below the bush line (dead wood is collected by hut users). The huts hold a special place in the hearts of generations. We do not have waiting lists for bookings A great collection of historical and modern photos of the huts, people and flora and fauna of the Orongorongo Valley near Wellington. 2km walk through varied bush; both interesting and easy enough for preschoolers, or an adult whose tramping feet are a little uncertain. They have bought families together; to get back to the basics, grow a love of the outdoors and to build close friendships amongst a unique community. Since the 1990s the Department of Conservation has banned the construction of private huts. Ōrongorongo River. Follow the Coast Road for 10km until you reach Remutaka Forest Park (there is a big sign on your left), continue down the Catchpool Valley Road until you reach the car park and Taihoa’s future, like the other 50-odd huts remaining in the Orongorongos, is uncertain. Feb 1, 2022 · Ōrongorongo Track to Raukawa Hut (Overnight Tramp) - Remutaka Forest Park. 969409728 Location: Catchpool Valley & Orongorongo Valley, Remutaka Forest Park Area: Wellington/Kapiti Type of Hut: Serviced Hidden away amongst native bush near Wellington, the Orongorongo Valley's huts have provided a haven for families since the early 1920s. It includes Ōrongorongo Valley and its booked huts with walks for all ages and fitness levels. A quirk of history has seen dozens of private huts built in the Orongorongo Valley in Rimutaka Forest Park. Some of the private hut licences are beginning to expire and because the huts are on A great collection of historical and modern photos of the huts, people and flora and fauna of the Orongorongo Valley near Wellington. Contacts. org. Flattened kerosene tins were used for A great collection of historical and modern photos of the huts, people and flora and fauna of the Orongorongo Valley near Wellington. Find out more at our new website: www. Wellington/Kapiti information. The hut is locked and must be booked in advance to gain access. I'm not sure we have ever had a full collection of professional hut photos so we are very grateful to Allan for his efforts. Orongorongo Valley is to Wellingtonians as the Waitakere Ranges are to Aucklanders. 10 Feb 2021by Jacqui. In 2012 Allan Sheppard undertook a massive project - photographing 50+ huts in the Orongorongo Valley. Email: nelsonvc@doc. Although these huts are no longer present, the area now hosts a campground equipped with toilets, showers, and gas barbecues. Stretching 10km, this moderately challenging track typically takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes to traverse one-way. Picnic areas – both open and secluded spots along Catchpool Road. nz This is a serviced 32-bunk hut in the Wellington region. The Orongorongo river valley is popular with trampers and day walkers, and four-wheel drive vehicles can reach it by following the river up from the coast. Updated: May 11, 2022. The issue of private huts on public land is a hot topic and an emotive subject for many hut owners and caretakers. This took a 10 minute walk through the bush with a few detours to other private huts, but eventually we stumbled on the 9-bunk Jans Hut. February 2, 1921, History, 0. The river and its associated catchments lie within the bounds of the Remutaka Forest A great collection of historical and modern photos of the huts, people and flora and fauna of the Orongorongo Valley near Wellington. Booked huts in the Orongorongo Valley are available for exclusive hire. Dec 12, 2022 · Xandu Hut, Number 78. Catchpool Centre which is bookable, has toilets, and a 24 Approximately 1 km further up stream, the entrance to Haurangi Hut is marked with a sign and a large orange and red triangle on the true right. Huts have been built in the Orongorongo Valley since the early 1900s – though they look a little different from today’s modern DOC huts! Early huts were built from materials at hand – manuka poles as framing and totara for piles. Latitude: -41. The Ōrongorongo Track is a popular track and is suitable for families. In 1921, the construction of a tunnel and three weirs commenced. gz mw bj bp ep pn un yk jc ng