Howletts Hut

The original Howletts Hut was built in 1893 and lasted until 1930. It was built from split mountain cedar slab and shingles by a botanist and school teacher William Howlett, who spent a considerable period of time in the ranges collecting botanical specimens before leaving the district in the early 1900s.

The current hut was built in 1958 by the Heretaunga and Ruahine Tramping Clubs. It belongs to the Heretaunga Tramping Club but is open to public use.

Howletts hut was renovated by Heretaunga Tramping Club in February 2025.

The hut has tank water supply and a woodburner for heating.

Fees

Backcountry Hut Passes and Backcountry Hut Tickets cannot be used at this hut.

This hut is owned and maintained by the Heretaunga Tramping Club.

For overnight stays donations should be sent to:

Heretaunga Tramping Club
316 Te Aute Rd, RD2
Hastings 4172
Email: tramphtc@gmail.com

Online banking details:

Name: Heretaunga Tramping Club
Account number: 03-0642-0802494-00

Howletts Hut can be accessed from Kashmir Road. From State Highway 50, turn onto Makaretu Road. Take your first left into Mill Road and travel for 11 km before turning left into Kashmir Road. Follow this to the road end.

2km from Kashmir Roadend, a side road on the right drops down to Moorcock Stream where the track to Daphne Hut begins. Near Daphne Hut, the track drops into the Tukituki River. From Daphne Hut, head 100m downstream and take the steep Daphne Spur track on the true right of the Tukituki River beside a side stream. Above the bush, a poled route leads to Howletts Hut.

Tracks to this hut

• Kashmir Road tramping tracks

Location

NZTopo50 map sheet: BL36
Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates: E1867699, N5578124