Kime Hut

The place

Standard 20-bunk DOC hut in Tararua Forest Park (Wairarapa, Wellington/Kapiti, Ōtaki Forks area), at 1,406 m below Hut Mound on the Southern Crossing route. Original building constructed in 1930 in memory of E. J. Kime, who died on the Southern Crossing in 1922; current structure rebuilt in 2014. Above the tree line and unheated — "it can get very cold". Access from Ōtaki Forks, about 1 h 30 from Wellington or Palmerston North, then 5-6 h walk from the Ōtaki Gorge Road trailhead. No booking required, payment by hut tickets or Backcountry Hut Pass ($10/$5 NZ until 30 June 2026).