Hut · Manawatu/Whanganui, New Zealand
Downes Hut
Whanganui National Park
Downes Hut is a boat-in only hut with 5 bunks on the Whanganui River in Whanganui National Park. No tracks or roads lead to it, and there is no cellphone coverage.
Downes Hut is a hut in Whanganui National Park, Manawatu/Whanganui, New Zealand, with 5 bunks. You book it ahead through DOC bookings.
How booking Downes Hut works
Department of Conservation (DOC) takes the bookings for this hut. Booking system: DOC bookings. DOC lists 5 bunks.
At a glance
- Type
- Hut · DOC category: Serviced Hut
- Sleeps
- 5 bunks
- Season
- “Bookings are open for stays up to 30 June 2027.”
- Site types
- 5 huts
- Fees (NZD)
1 May - 30 September
- Adult (18+): $25 per night
1 October - 30 April
- Adult (18+), weekdays: $28 per night
1 December - 29 February
- Adult (18+), weekdays: $29 per night
As DOC states them on 2026-10-31. Check the DOC page before you book.
- Getting there
- Whanganui River only; no tracks or roads to it
- Booked through
- DOC bookings
- Location
- -39.72642, 175.13159
In an emergency, call 111.
This page has no PermitSnag alert for Downes Hut yet. Book it with DOC.
Nearby places to stay
Straight-line distance between the agency’s map points.
- Ngaporo CampsiteWhanganui National Park34.5 km (21.4 mi)
- Tīeke Marae/kāinga CampsiteWhanganui National Park44.8 km (27.8 mi)
- Tīeke Marae/kāingaWhanganui National Park44.9 km (27.9 mi)
- Mangawhero CampsiteTongariro National Park45.2 km (28.1 mi)
- Mangapurua CampsiteWhanganui National Park51.4 km (31.9 mi)
- Mangawaiiti CampsiteWhanganui National Park52.9 km (32.9 mi)
Downes Hut: questions
Do I need to book Downes Hut ahead?
Yes. Downes Hut is booked online through DOC bookings, run by Department of Conservation (DOC).
How many people does Downes Hut sleep?
Department of Conservation (DOC) lists 5 bunks at Downes Hut.
How much does Downes Hut cost?
Department of Conservation (DOC) lists: Adult (18+) $25 NZD per night (1 May - 30 September); Adult (18+), weekdays $28 NZD per night (1 October - 30 April); Adult (18+), weekdays $29 NZD per night (1 December - 29 February).
When is Downes Hut open?
Department of Conservation (DOC) says: "Bookings are open for stays up to 30 June 2027."
What is the emergency number at Whanganui National Park?
In New Zealand, call 111 for police, fire or ambulance, and for search and rescue.
Permits and tracks nearby
Hut, campsite, region and location data: Department of Conservation (DOC), Crown copyright, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International.