Awaroa - all beaches

This hut was the best I've ever stayed in. It had a big fire, around 20 bunks, and plenty of reading material about the history of the area and the building. I stayed in July, so it was chilly in the mornings. It takes about an hour for the fire to warm up the place. The stairs are narrow, so you need to be careful when going up and down them. There are three rooms in total, with two rooms upstairs and one downstairs. There is a large table with a few long benches. There is no lighting, so be sure to bring plenty of torches. Drinking water is available outside, and the toilets are located about 20 meters away through some bushes. There is also a small wood cutting area. There are lots of weka birds around, and they like to come into the hut and steal food, so remember to keep the doors closed.

This beach is stunning and conveniently situated just off the road. There's a memorial bench where you can sit and observe the shifting light and tides. The water is quite shallow, and during low tide, much of the seabed and rocks are exposed. It's a lovely spot for a morning or afternoon stroll.