Child friendly rating: 5 stars

Distance: 1km

Signposted time: 10 minutes

Bookings Required? Yes

Suitable in Winter? Yes

Camping Available? Yes

4wd required? No

Parking:

Park at the Sunrise Hut Carpark on North Block Road, located inland between Tikokino & Ongaonga.

The Track:

The track is a 4WD track the whole way, and while most signs say it's only around 400-600 metres, the farm track actually is quite windy, while maps show it as a straight line.

It is a steady uphill climb, and there are two styles to cross over. If you don't mind lifting a pram over these, you could make it with a pram quite easily. Its short enough that most kids can walk themselves.

Cellphone reception most the way to the conservation area, just not at the hut or the last few metres of track.

Hut:

The hut itself has a lounge in the middle with woodburner, and two separate bunkrooms on either side. There is no interior access to the bunkrooms - exterior only. If you've got the hut to yourselves and its cold, I would recommend bringing mattresses into the lounge. We fitted 3 in easily, and this way managed to have a warm evening even on a frosty night.

Not much firewood around however, so BYO if you intend to use the fireplace - it's not far to carry a nights supply from the car.

There is the swamp loop track to do from the hut once you've left your packs at the hut if you'd like a longer walk.

Recommendations:

Perfect hut to visit for families with multiple very young kids given that it's not far and you can easily do a return trip for more gear.

Booking last minute also gives you an idea whether there will be others at the hut or not if you're not sure how your kiddos will sleep and don't want them disrupting others - it's close enough for a mid-week trip from Napier!