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Zac's Hut, Orongorongo Forest Park
Zac's Hut, Orongorongo Forest Park
On the true left of the Orongorongo River sits Zac's hut. It is set in a great country and has a fantastic history. Built by the Venturers in the 1960s and maintained ever since by former Venturers, such as re-roof in 2011 and relining in 2017. Zac's hut is one of the most luxurious, boasting solar power lighting, an open fireplace, a wetback for hot water, a gas stove, la ong drop with a view and new DOC-style mattresses.
Zac’s Hut is managed by 1 st Karori Scout Group and is available for use by all Scouts, friends and family. It is a privilege to have access to a hut in the Orongorongo Valley and it is important that all users are respectful of the historic hut, and the natural environment around the hut.
Sleeps 8 -- 10 on platform bunks with space to camp or bivvy outside.
Access is via a well-grade DOC track that is easy for first-timers and young people.
For more information on the history of Zac's hut, see our history page.
Facilities
Facilities
Mattresses for ~8
All cooking and eating stuff. Pots, pans, plates, cups, cutlery etc.
A gas cooker (to be used sparingly as the gas bottles have to be driven in)
An open fire that is great for cooking
Solar powered lights, cold-water supply, wetback boiler
A long drop is located down the track from the hut. It has a splendid view.
You should bring toilet paper, tea towels and some dishwashing liquid, as there is not always a supply at the hut. Take torches – the solar lights may not work.
Rules
Rules
Firewood: if you use it replace it. Under no circumstances are trees to be cut down , that is both around the hut and in the Forest Park. Collect wood from the riverbed, windfall or the roadside woodshed. See details below.
Ashes: under no circumstances are hot ashes to be disposed of outside. Use the ash bucket. See details below.
Scouts, friends and family: The hut is primarily provided for use to Scouts and friends & family of 1st Karori Scouts. When you stay at the hut, you are representing 1st Karori and the wider Scouts association. You are expected to respect the property, its environs and other visitors at all times.
If you are unable to follow these rules, you are not welcome at the hut.
Fees, keys and booking
Fees, keys and booking
Check availability for your dates using the calendar below
Email zacs.bookings@gmail.com to request a booking
The booking group leader must be aged 18 or older, present with the group at the hut, and is responsible for the safe and respectful use of the hut by the group.
We reserve the right to decline a booking request for any reason, or modify or cancel a booking at any time for, but not limited to, critical maintenance, a high priority booking, or unsafe weather or river conditions, etc..
Hut Fees are $30/night, flat rate. Additional donations from larger groups are encouraged
Please pay the nightly fee into the 1 st Karori Zac’s Hut Account after your stay, reference
Zacs & Surname
06 0501 0112828 00
Key pickup can be arranged from Tim Baker (Ngaio, 021 817 186) or Pete Ritchie (Karori, 021 660 242)
Location
Location
NZMG: E 2674130, N 5981809
Easting/Northing: -41.353941, 174.961739
Topomap: BQ32 6410 2009
NZTM: -41.353941, 174.961739
Directions
Directions
The hut is located on the True Left (TL) of Nettle Stream, above the Orongorongo River. It is approximately 2km walk downstream of the Catchpool Bridge at the end of the Orongorongo Track.
Zac’s hut can be accessed from the river, or from the 4WD track. The hut is visible from the riverbed when you know where to look.
However, for those who have not been before, we recommend accessing from the 4WD track, as the river access track can be difficult to find. 4WD access instructions:
From the end of the Orongorongo Track, follow the riverbed down stream
Leave the riverbed onto the 4WD track just upstream of Paua Hut @ Greens Stream. The 4WD track is clearly visible where it goes up the river terrace to Paua Hut
Follow the 4WD past Paua hut for a further 900 m or so, until you cross Nettle Stream
Once you have crossed Nettle stream, the track to Zacs hut is on the right, after ~75 m. It is not signposted, but there is a small woodshed next to the track.
River Crossing
River Crossing
Once you arrive at "Banana Bridge" at the river, you will need to make between 1-5 river crossings, depending on the time of the year.
The river crossing is usually manageable for younger trampers, but the Orongorongo river can have significant flow and may present extreme danger. Always check the Truss Bridge River flow website prior to your trip.
Managing your stay
Managing your stay
Opening the Hut
Opening the Hut
You only require one key to open the hut. Do not lock the key in the hut, you should snib the deadlock back when in the hut.
The shutters can be removed when you are inside the hut. Please put them back on before leaving.
Firewood
Firewood
Do not cut down trees for firewood.
Please replace the wood you burn.
Please collect firewood from the riverbed and carry it up the track
There may be firewood in the shed by the 4WD track. You can also re-stock this shed.
There is and axe and saw at the hut you can use.
Fire
Fire
On arrival prior to lighting the fire:
Put any ash remaining in the fireplace into the ash bucket
(Make sure there is no live embers in the bucket)
On the day of departure:
Make sure the fire is out
Shovel ash into the ash bucket and put the lid on the bucket.
Leave the bucket with ash in it on the side of the fireplace for the next occupants to empty.
Under no circumstances should ashes with potential live embers in it be disposed of in the bush or down the loo.
Water
Water
The water supply comes directly from Nettle Stream
If the water is not running at the tap, it is likely that the pipe and gravel filter has been moved in a flood
To check the intake, you can follow the pipeline from the hut, or access it downstream of the 4WD crossing
Leaving
Leaving
Replace the window shutters
Rubbish – please take all your rubbish out with you
Put the tabletop, trestles and benches up on the bunk so the floor is clear ∙ Please clean and sweep the hut
Turn off the gas bottles
Put the window shutters on
Do not throw hot ashes outside
If the fire is cold, please leave it set for the next user
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