This is a private biv in Apias Creek.  It wasn't flash.

Rangiwahia is the most popular hut on the western side of the range.  Slips on the track have caused problems, but when the diversions are in place it is an easy walk to some brilliant rolling tops on the Whanahuia range. Sleeps: 16 or so Heating: Gas on tap Camping: No - though in fine weather you could camp on top of the Whanahuia range

Hinerua hut is one of the cosy little four bunkers that the Ruahines does so well.  The long Hinerua ridge will get you up on the most interesting bit of the Ruahine tops around Paemutu and Broken Ridge. Sleeps: Four Heating: Corker cooker Camping: Very little

Smiths Creek is a little visited Ruahine hut.  It lies in the shadow of the main range, and is part of a great bad weather trip from the Waipawa to Hinerua via Middle Stream and Smiths creek.  It can be hard to find! Sleeps: Four (sacking bunks) Heating: Open fire Camping: yes, some on the river flat below the hut terrace

See if you can find it next time you're in the Waikamaka

Toka is another lonely Ruahine biv.  The hut book goes back to the 1970s, and there were 20 years between VUWTC visits when we popped in.  It sits on the edge of a bog and is surrounded by leatherwood.  The steep spur down is a botanists delight with caniverous plants in the tussock. Sleeps: Two or three Heating: No Camping: Not ...

A superb hut in the Pohangina valley (north).  The trip up river to Leon Kinvig is a great summer trip. Sleeps: Six Heating: Open fire Camping: yes, plenty around the hut

Kelly Knight sits in a sunny clearing above the Pourangaki river. Sleeps: Eight on two platforms Heating: A potbelly Camping: yes, lots of camping around the hut

This is essentially a roadend hut being about 20mins from the Makaroro carpark.  It used to be a cookhouse for the NZFS. Sleeps: No bunks but lots of floor space. Heating: No Camping: Plenty around the hut

This hut is up Gold Creek (funny that!) in the Makaroro catchment.  Its reasonably easy to get to but lack of options makes it a backwater.  We acessed the main range via the ridge on the other side of the stream from the hut.  A good bash. Sleeps: four Heating: corker cooker Camping: Don't recall much in the creek.