Winchcombe Bivouac

The place

An NZFS "dogbox"-type bivouac located at 1095 m on the bushline near Mount Hector along the Southern Crossing in Tararua Forest Park. The first version was built in 1967 as part of the shelter network for cullers (deer hunters). A second version, erected in the early 1980s, was relocated around 1988 for goat control work. The third version, completed on 28 April 2021 by the ex-NZFS volunteer group with funding from the Backcountry Trust, reproduces the historic S86 design drawn by Stan Fokerd. Owned by the ex-NZFS group, managed under an agreement with DOC. A small, compact shelter for a subalpine stopover, free access, no booking required.