Sunrise Hut

4-5 July 2026

Leader: Peter and June

This was the annual gourmet overnight trip, this year to Sunrise Hut in Ruahine Forest Park.

Trip Report Photo 1 — Leaving the car park

We all met en route for morning tea at the chilly Black Stump café in Dannevirke (except Kerren who was still at home with car trouble) where some of us tried not to watch the World Cup for the last time that day.

We drove in convoy to the car park at North Block Road End and set off up the series of gentle alp-like switch backs through increasingly beautiful beech forest. Had a quick snack stop at the Waipapa track fork, where June was horrified to learn of Rob's lack of cultural engagement on his recent trip to Japan ;)

The excellent path continued winding up to the plateau, where the wind was, as always, waiting to blast us. The hut was fairly busy but we all managed to get a bunk. We took a quick walk up towards the Armstrong Saddle behind the hut in the stunning (and more breezy) twilight where Kerren impressively caught up with us.

We then settled down to the important business of creating culinary magic. Great nibbles, proper wantons, gorgeous chick pea curry, and (average) rice, and a card game, the name of which I forget, that was harder than it seemed. Followed by brownies, eclairs and Sigi's very delicious orange coulis 'failure'.

Trip Report Photo 5 — Sunrise Hut - as welcoming as ever

Woken at 5.30am by a Sound of Music hopeful - but no spectacular sunrise this time.

Trip Report Photo 6 — On our way to Armstrong Saddle

We then wandered back down the hill, a little low cloud and mist adding to the atmosphere. We had a very enjoyable lunch stop on the way home in the sun at Onga Onga, where we had a quick wander around the open air museum (including optional Bonkey bath and the original cell belonging to New Zealand's most decorated murder-solving policeman).