Whariwharangi Hut

The place

A former farmhouse built around 1896 by John Handcock, restored in 1980 to become one of the historic huts on the Abel Tasman Coast Track. A timber-framed building bearing witness to the peninsula's pastoral past, abandoned as the granitic soils proved poor for farming. Today it has 20 bunks across several rooms, with no gas or lighting: bring a stove, fuel and candles. Access from Totaranui via the Gibbs Hill Track (9 km, 3 h) or from Wainui via the Abel Tasman Coast Track (5.7 km, 2 h); connects to Awaroa Hut in 5 h 35 (16.9 km). Year-round booking required via the DOC online system, with a variable Great Walk fee depending on season and nationality.