Child friendly rating: 5 stars

Distance: 2.5km

Signposted time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Bookings Required? No

Suitable in Winter? Usually

Camping Available? Very limited

4wd required? No

Parking:

Park at the Dawson Falls Carpark.

The Track:

This is a really short track, with several options to get there. It's actually such a great track that this is the first decent enough hike that my at the time 2 year old walked the whole way. (He was 2yrs 6 months old at the time) There was just one about 200m section that I had to carry him, as the bushes were wet and overhanging the path, and he refused to push through them. Other than that the track was good enough that he didn't have to even hold my hand while walking.

What I'd consider the best way to the hut would be going there via Wilkies Pool, and back via the direct Waingognoro Track and Ridgeline Track.

Via Wilkies pool, the first section of the track is wheelchair accessible. There's rubber matting laid down, which actually made it pretty easy for my toddler to walk on.

The stop at the pools themselves, I had to pop my 2yr old into the carrier, as the wet rocks were quite slippery in the rain, but my 6yo was fine.

Then the track got a bit rougher after this, with wooden steps and then later some rough cut sections. But none of it was unmanageable to the 2yo. It wasn't really wide enough to hold a child's hand after Wilkies Pool when taking the Ridge Track via the start of the Stratford Plateau Track, but the rest was. This way in took us 3 hours including the break at Wilkies Pool.

Out, we took the direct route. This took 1 hour 45 minutes with the 2yo walking ( I was pregnant so not rushing to carry him!)

The direct route does have one stream crossing, however in good conditions you can rock-hop this one safely with dry boots. If conditions are not good, travel via Wilkies Pool back too.

Hut:

The hut itself is a lovely wooden hut with 2 bunkrooms off the main lounge. Careful for the drop-off after the clearning.

Recommendations:

This track is short enough that it's super toddler friendly, and makes a great first hut trip for anyone of any age. There is a wee bit of up and down, but it's not too intense. And obviously a 2.5 year old can walk it themselves if motivated along.