Iron Whare, Kaweka FP, Wednesday 27 May 2026
Banner Photo: Iron Whare, early lunch spot
Nine left Park Island at 7.30, picking up two more at Puketapu on the way to Makahu Saddle car park. It always seems a long way up to such a high car park, but it does make for an easier tramp when we are already at 1000m before even starting.
Mark had an agenda to do some track maintenance en route to Iron Whare, so he took off ahead with the rest of us travelling together, fairly much most of the way. It was a bit chilly to start with but we all warmed up as we progressed.
Between the junction and Iron Whare, a few unmarked diversions are required due to windfall
It is an easy walk to begin with, through mature forest and an undulating pathway. DoC personnel have done a very good job of clearing the track from all the trees that came down in the February storm. After the main river crossing, we climbed up a fairly steep section arriving at Kaweka Flats biv for morning tea about 10.45am. The sun was shining and, with no wind to speak of, it was lovely spot for a break.
From there, we took a short walk to the junction where we turned off the main track to head for Iron Whare. There was even more storm damage through this part of the track, and a small diversion in a gully where a couple of large trees had come down and blocked the path.
Then the route was clear for a bit until we came to the top of the ridge. It is negotiable – just skirting around the trees that had fallen – but there was little signage to ensure you were on the right path. However, we managed to negotiate that with due care and arrived safely at Iron Whare for lunch about 11.45am. We had another longish stop, as the sun was still shining and there was no need to hurry out.
An information panel inside Iron Whare
Iron Whare is a small, interesting and historic hut that was originally built as a musterers’ shelter back in the 1870s. It’s the earliest hut in the Kawekas.
The interior of Iron Whare
Then it was a matter of retracing our steps to go out. It was lucky it was such a beautiful day, as one tramper managed to slip in one of the stream crossings. This was a textbook example proving that it is best to walk in the stream on the smaller stones and not try to avoid wet feet.
Verdict on the day: An absolutely classic tramp with good company, good tramping and beautiful weather.
Trampers: Sue Trotter, Ian Pirie, Sue Martin, Shona Tupe, Alison Greer, Keith Gore, Kate Fuller, Michelle Finlayson, Mark Jenkins, John Tovey and tramp organiser and reporter Juliet Gillick
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