ReStargazing at Kawakawa Hut 🔭

We're staying the night at Kawakawa Hut in the Aorangi forest park! Situated in the 'dark core' of the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve, you are almost guaranteed incredible views of the night sky. This event was sadly postponed from International Dark Sky Week, but we can still appreciate the night sky and collect data for scientists!

Along with carrying a heavy telescope, we'll also be delivering hut maintenance supplies in a 5kg orange bucket. This is a Greater Wellington Backcountry Network project covering all Wellington region huts!

https://www.wildernessmag.co.nz/these-huts-have-some-of-the-best-views-of-the-night-sky/

Route:

It's a 2.5hr drive from Wellington to the Mangatoetoe hut carpark. We'll then walk 4-5hr to the hut. Trip capped to 10 people due to limited bunk space (some will need to tent outside).

Mangatoetoe hut info

Kawakawa hut info

Gear:

Please bring overnight tramping gear. Key things are a tramping pack, warm clothing, a windproof raincoat, tramping boots or trail runners, a sleeping bag, a bowl/cutlery, a headtorch, a big water bottle, and a first aid kit/personal medication. Bring a pot/cooker if you have them.

You can borrow club gear (eg packs, sleeping bags), but please ask in advance :)

See the club gear list: https://www.vuwtc.org.nz/resources/gear-list

Food:

Have breakfast on Saturday before arriving at Kelburn. Please bring 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner, snacks and drinks, and some emergency food in case we get delayed. Re drinks, cans and plastic only please, no glass!

Cost:

- $20-25 fuel per person

- Hut payment ($10 for a blue DOC hut ticket, you can buy at outdoor stores eg Bivouac, Macpac, Kathmandu) - also can use DOC hut pass, or camp for free