Tautuku Hut Track | Tramping in the Catlins
Smiling for a photo after reaching the hut, it was both our first hut ever!
Tautuku Hut is a lesser known DOC hut in the Catlins. Starting from the same car park as Mclean Falls, the Tautuku Hut Track is short enough to do in one day and is a great first overnight tramp for families.
In This Trail Guide:
Tautuku Hut Track Map
Created by Mountain Mamas NZ - Image sourced from LINZ - Crown copyright ©
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Distance | 9 kilometers |
| Trail Type | Out-and-back |
| Elevation Gain | 350 meters |
| Time | 3hr 30 min |
| Family Friendliness | ★★★★★ |
| Pram Access | No |
| Dog Access | Yes |
| Trailhead Coordinates | 46°34'24.0"S 169°20'47.4"E |
Note: Detouring to McLean Falls adds 30 minutes / 1.5 kilometers to your walk.Walking the Tautuku Hut Track
Starting in the same parking lot as one of the most famous Catlins waterfalls, this walk can easily be made into a 2 in 1. The detour to Mclean Falls adds about a half hour and 1.5 kilometers of walking. Both tracks start off by immediately crossing a wooden bridge going over a small section of the river that flows through the falls. About 2 minutes later, take a left turn off of the Mclean Falls Track and follow the green sign for Tautuku Hut. You are now on the Tautuku Hut Track, which begins as a grassy path for about 10 minutes before entering the forest.
Right off the bat you face the hardest part of the walk, a steep uphill climb for the first hour. It really is a killer lower body workout, especially with a big pack and a toddler on your back. Thankfully it’s all shaded in, and the ground underfoot is super soft from all the fallen leaves. On the down side though, it gets so hot and humid on a hot summer’s day and there’s little to no air flow getting through the trees.
Overall, it’s very easy to follow this trail as long as you keep your eyes set on the orange triangle markers along the way. There are two fallen trees on the track which we had to crawl under on our hands and knees. If you aren’t juggling a pack and a baby at the same time, you’ll probably get away with just crouching down real low. There’s also a handful of large trees to climb over, but most of the track you’re just stepping over the occasional tree root.
There’s heaps of mushrooms and beautiful ferns to be admired along the way, even in the peak of summer. After rain, you’ll find lots of muddy sections to walk through. Some have dry paths going around, others give you no choice but to cross through. Ankle deep mud at worst. The next morning our pants got a little wet on the walk back thanks to all the morning dew on the fern leaves we walked past. Moisture wicking pants are a must on this walk.
After nearly an hour and a half of climbing, the track starts to flatten out a bit more and you’ll pass a view overlooking some distant mountains in the Catlins. This is the first and only break in the trees you’ll see on the track (until reaching the hut). From here it’s just a quick breeze to Tautuku hut. The track actually goes slightly downhill for about 15 minutes before you arrive at the open, grassy clearing that the hut sits in.
Your view of Tautuku Hut just as you emerge from the forest. 46°33'13.5"S 169°19'29.8"E
Don’t forget to sign the visitors book, it’s for both day and overnight visitors. Return back the way you came, and enjoy the downhill reward you’ve earned after that tough uphill slog!
Tautuku Hut Facilities
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Free |
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First Come, First Serve |
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4 Bunks + Mattresses |
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1 Long Drop Toilet |
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Nearby Water Source |
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Outdoor Firepit |
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No Dogs Inside |
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46°33'13.5"S 169°19'29.8"E |
Tautuku Hut is a standard, non-serviced DOC hut that is completely free to stay at. There’s no booking in advance, it’s first come first serve.
SLEEPING AREA
There are 4 wooden bunks and mattresses in this one bedroom hut.
KITCHEN
The kitchen is stocked with a few cast iron pots, pans, a large bowl / sink, steel scrubbers, chopping board, spatula, kettle and can opener (which is chained to the bench LOL). There were some plastic bottles filled with what appeared to be cooking oil, but we weren’t 100% sure so we didn’t use them.
Other general supplies include: candles, rechargable USB light bulb, dust pans, brooms, a machete and some magazines.
WATER SOURCE
The Tautuku River is just a minute walk from the hut. It’s a shallow but constantly flowing stream. Signs in the hut say the rain water collected is clean and does not need to be treated before drinking, but I digress. All we found was an open top barrel with floaties in it. We chose to boil water from the stream instead.
HEATING
No indoor heating, but there’s an outdoor fire pit. Some dry wood is stacked underneath the front deck. Replace the wood that you use and stack it to dry for the next visitors to use.
TOILETS
There’s one long drop toilet behind the hut that can’t be missed. We were lucky to find a roll of toilet paper inside but it’s best practice to always bring your own just in case.
UPGRADES
Tautuku Hut is maintained by the generous volunteers at Permolat Southland and over the last few years they’ve done extensive upgrades to it. So far they’ve built a covered deck, added a toilet and painted both the interior + exterior walls. Two seats and a table make this a lovely spot to watch the sunrise or sunset while sipping on a cuppa.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Nothing! It is completely free to stay at the Tautuku DOC hut. First come, first serve.
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Yes, the Tautuku Hut Track is very family friendly. After a steep climb at the start, the walk mostly flattens out until you reach the hut. There are no dangerous elements at all.
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The walk to Mclean Falls is 40 minutes there and back, approximately 2 kilometers long. The Tautuku Hut Track starts at the same trailhead, making it easy to combine the two walks into one.
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Dogs are not allowed to stay inside any DOC huts, but sometimes are allowed to be tied up outside of the hut. At Tautuku Hut dogs are allowed to be tied up outside the hut. There was an extra dog lead in the hut when we went.
Getting to the Trailhead
From Invercargill (1hr 30min)
Head East on the Gorge Road - Invercargill Highway / Southern Scenic Route for about 70 km’s, then turn left onto the Chaslands Hwy. In 20km’s turn left on Rewcastle Road, following the signs for Mclean Falls. The dirt road leads you to the car park.
From Dunedin (2hr 15min)
Follow SH1 towards Balclutha in 80km’s, then turn left onto the Southern Scenic Rte. In 67 kilometers turn right onto Rewcastle Rd. The Mclean Falls / Tautuku Hut parking is at the end of this gravel road.
Other Things To Do Near Tautuku
Mclean Falls Walk: (pictured)
1.7km | 70m | 30minTautuku Estuary Boardwalk:
1km | 25m | 15minTautuku Bay Nature Walk:
1.1km | 25m | 15minLake Wilkie Walk:
0.8km | 20min | 10minPurakaunui Falls Walk:
0.6km | 20m | 15minKoropuku Falls Track:
0.6km | 35m | 25min
Disclaimer: Please adventure at your own risk. The author of this article is not liable for any injuries or damage that may occur. It is up to the individual to determine their own capabilities and limits, and to thoroughly research before venturing into the great outdoors. Read our full Disclaimer.
