Koranga Forks Hut, Waioeka Gorge

 

Travelling south on State Highway 2 from Opotiki, take the Moanui Road turnoff which is reached after approximately 65 kms. Follow Moanui Road until a car park and track sign is spotted on the left-hand side of the road after about 20 kms. The start of the track is by the car park.

 

Car Park to Koranga Forks Hut

Time: 3 hrs (one-way)

Distance: 7 kms

Grade: Easy, with no river crossings

 

The track starts out on farmland, but soon enters bush and follows along side the Koranga River. Incredibly large boulders can be spotted from the track strewn along the river bed.

Part way along the track there is a short break through farmland, but the track soon re-enters the bush again. About 2 hours from the start of the track a very pretty waterfall is reached. There is a handy iron rope strung across in case the waterfall is in flood.

Just minutes before the hut, a swingbridge is crossed to provide access to the opposite bank. The hut is found just a few hundred yards further along the track.

The hut is situated in a clearing at the junction of the Koranga River and Kahunui Stream. These join to form the Waioeka River. The hut has six bunks and an open fire. There is no water tank so water has to be collected from the river.

To return to the car park just follow the same route in reverse.

A three day circuit option would be to carry on along the Kahunui River from Koranga Forks to Tawa Hut. Then return direct to the car park from Tawa.

 

 

Average: Standard

Bunks: 6 with mattresses

Heating: Open fire

Water: From nearby river

Cost: One hut ticket