Thread: Western Ruahines fly in - recommendations

Hi guys,

A couple mates and I are looking at flying in to the Western Ruahines for a week in the roar.

Not after anyones spot X, but just wondering if anyone could recommend some general areas for a fly in trip in that area, and point out the benefits of those areas if possible. We are mainly tops hunters who stay in tents but are considering the comfort a hut offers us also.

We are looking at ironbark hut currently, but want to hear any advice before we commit the $$.

Thanks team.

Mckinnon hut could be good, has just been tarted up as well & doesn't get a lot of visitors.
Would be able to hunt a large area of tops, and if nothing was up that high could listen for roars over both sides & drop down into the bush, and at worst if the weather packed up and you were at the southern end you could stay at Purity hut.

I do like the look of McKinnon hut for sure

+1 for McKinnon - awesome spot, very low foot traffic now.

Most of the huts will be already booked for a fly in trip ,especially Ironbark but Mckinnon is certainly worth a crack

Originally Posted by 30late

Most of the huts will be already booked for a fly in trip ,especially Ironbark but Mckinnon is certainly worth a crack

Yeah well booked up

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@BRADS @30late when you say booked up do you mean as in the huts will be full from other parties or the booking system will be full. Most of the huts we have looked at were first come first served. We are happy as to tent it anyway but have had a drop off and pick up time penciled in with a chopper firm currently.

Originally Posted by Floundering Around

@BRADS @30late when you say booked up do you mean as in the huts will be full from other parties or the booking system will be full. Most of the huts we have looked at were first come first served. We are happy as to tent it anyway but have had a drop off and pick up time penciled in with a chopper firm currently.

The crews that fly into the Ruahines run a booking system, I normally book early Jan.
It's so that let's say mckinon has a group that have flow in with amalgamated helicopters, helicopters hawkes bay won't also drop a group there.
Most will not drop you at a hut that's booked even if you plan on fly camping away from the hut.
Obviously walking in is still sweet as.
Hope that helps

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@BRADS . Thanks man, huge help. Much appreciated.

find the most remote valley, and fly into it. Dont hut it.

Originally Posted by Larskramer

find the most remote valley, and fly into it. Dont hut it.

You can't do that in the Ruahines it has to be a designated landing zone, all of which are huts.

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Originally Posted by Larskramer

find the most remote valley, and fly into it. Dont hut it.

if only bro would be epic

alot of the western side is classed as "wilderness zone" or what ever its called and as said above... you cant just land anywhere..... its a shame as if it was different you would get more hunters up top. I hunt an area on the western side which you can only hunt by walking up.. and it shows when you get up top as the animals are everywhere and still out at midday as 95% of people they see are trampers....