Happy Daze Hut

The place

Basic 4-bunk DOC hut in Ruahine Forest Park, Hawke's Bay region, at 483 m. Originally built in 1958, then rebuilt in 1968 by Stacker Johnston. Open fireplace for heating, rainwater supply, tent site available. Free. No DOC track serves the hut: unmarked terrain, self-sufficiency required. Access via Kashmir Road along the Makaretu River past the Awatere or Makaretu huts followed by a steep climb, or via Paget Road along the Makaretu — walking-only track, dogs prohibited (sheep measles and whio conservation), closed from 1 August to 10 November for lambing. Never cross the river when it is in flood.