Instagram: @hudson_the_goldy
Kayley and Hudson are always on the lookout for dog-friendly adventures that blend a rewarding hike with time to slow down outdoors. For this trip, they headed into the Tararua Forest Park in the Wairarapa, setting out from Kiriwhakapapa Campground and hiking up to Blue Range Hut.
Arctic Sammy: Hi Kayley, tell us a little bit about yourself
Kayley: I’m Kayley, a big lover of the outdoors and a firm believer that adventures are always better with a dog by your side. I spend as much time as I can exploring New Zealand with Hudson, my 4 year old Goldie— whether that’s hiking, camping, or just finding quiet places to switch off and enjoy nature. Planning dog-friendly trips that let Hudson be part of the adventure is something I really love doing.
Arctic Sammy: We want to know all about your trip! Where did you guys go?
Kayley: This time, our destination was the Tararua Forest Park in the Wairarapa region, starting from Kiriwhakapapa campground and hiking up to Blue Range Hut. The Tararua’s have a way of making you slow down and properly feel where you are. Towering trees, moss-covered forest floors, and tracks that ask a bit of effort before handing over their rewards. As always, Hudson was more than ready. And once we hit the track, he was completely in his element — nose down, tail up, and always optimistic that a stream or puddle is just around the corner.
Arctic Sammy: We feel you :). Where did you set up camp?
Kayley: We started the day with a drive out to the Kiriwhakapapa DOC campsite, which in itself is a beautiful place to pause, stretch the legs, and make sure you’ve remembered all the essentials. Hudson supervised the gear check closely (mostly to ensure his snacks were packed), and then we set off up the track.
Arctic Sammy: Which items and gear did you bring for Hudson?
Kayley: One item Hudson always wears on the trail is his Arctic Sammy silicone ID tag. It’s an essential piece of hiking gear for us — lightweight, durable, and packed with valuable information should anything unexpected happen. And because it’s silicone, it’s incredibly easy to clean, which is ideal given that Hudson and mud puddles seem to attract each other. Our standout piece of camping gear (and hands down our favourite when camping with dogs) is the Arctic Sammy Basecamp Leash. We set it up easily between two trees at our campsite, creating a secure, flexible space where Hudson could relax without being restricted. It’s one of those items that completely changes the camping experience — no tangled leads, no constant supervision, just peace of mind knowing he’s safe while we set up camp, cook, or unwind. It’s practical, quick to set up, and genuinely brilliant — we wouldn’t camp with Hudson without it.
Arctic Sammy: Tell us about the track - is it easy or rather challenging?
Kayley: The climb to Blue Range Hut took us just over two hours, including plenty of stops along the way. The track is well formed and easy to follow, but it’s still a good walk with enough incline to get the heart rate up and remind you that you’re earning the views. The track itself is stunning — winding through a mix of exotic redwood trees, tangled tree roots, and sections of moss-covered forest. It’s the kind of walk where you’re constantly looking up, down, and around, taking it all in. The walk back took just under two hours, making the whole trip around four hours return. Going down was noticeably easier on the lungs, though perhaps a little harder on the knees.
Arctic Sammy: Ok that sounds doable 👍🏼. Have you visited the Blue Range Hut along the way?
Kayley: Yes, eventually we reached Blue Range Hut, perched near the ridge line. The hut is a popular overnight spot, and for good reason. The views on a clear day are impressive, with great views of neighbouring ranges.
Arctic Sammy: Can you bring your dog into the hut or spend the night?
Kayley: No, unfortunately not. Dogs aren’t allowed inside DOC huts. If you’re planning to stay overnight and want to bring your dog, you’ll need to be prepared with a tent or be comfortable having them sleep outside. For us, this was always planned as a day walk. So we took a good break at the hut, refuelled, soaked in the views, and then continued our descent back to the campsite.
Arctic Sammy: Ok so did you stay at the campsite and if so, how was it?
Kayley: Yes we did stay at Kiriwhakapapa campground, we settled in for the evening. Facilities here are basic but well maintained. Toilets are available, but there’s no drinking water, so you’ll need to bring everything you need with you or be prepared to treat stream water. Dinner was had outside, surrounded by towering trees and accompanied by the gentle sound of the nearby stream. It was one of those simple, grounding moments that camping does so well with warm food, fresh air, and no rush to be anywhere else. As the evening wound down, Hudson curled up contentedly, tired from the day’s hike, while we settled in for a quiet night surrounded by nature.
Arctic Sammy: That sounds lovely and exactly what you need to unwind after a hectic week. What did you do on the next day?
Kayley: The next morning was all about taking it slow. Morning ball throws were had before we headed out for a short 1 hour loop track from the campground (We did the Kiriwhakapapa Loop Walk) — an easy, scenic walk that was just as beautiful as the previous day’s hike. More forest, more birdsong, and more opportunities for Hudson to investigate every interesting smell along the way. Back at camp, the rest of the morning was spent relaxing. With a book in hand and Hudson fast asleep nearby, we gave the rooftop tent plenty of time to dry from the morning dew before packing everything down and heading home.
Final Thoughts
This Tararua adventure was the perfect blend of effort and ease: a steep, rewarding hike to Blue Range Hut, peaceful camping at Kiriwhakapapa, and a gentle second day to soak it all in. We headed home with muddy boots, full hearts, and a tired and fulfilled pup — which, if you ask Hudson, is exactly how every adventure should end.
