Description

This is a standard four-bunk hut located in Ruahine Forest Park in the Hawkes Bay region. Fees apply. Bookings not required - first come, first served. Facilities include open fire heating, mattresses, non-flush toilets and water (not treated - boil before use). Smiths Stream Hut can be accessed from North Block Road end. From State Highway 50, turn towards the ranges onto Wakarara Road. After 20 km, turn left into North Block Road and contine to the road end. The last 4 km of this road is through private farmland. Please dont disturb stock and leave gates as you found them. From the Sunrise carpark, follow the track for 1.5 km to the Waipawa River. Slightly upstream and on the southern side there is a signpost marking the start of the track, which follows the forest edge to the park boundary. It passes through open regenerating scrub and forest to Middle Stream, then crosses the river and climbs steeply to a 1104 m peak. The track then descends to Smiths Stream and follows this for approximately 1 km. Before you go, buy 1 Standard Hut Ticket (blue for adults, yellow for youth) for each night's stay. Put this in the honesty box at the hut. Or buy a Backcountry Hut Pass that gives unlimited use at most Standard and Serviced huts for a 6 or 12-month period.