Child friendly rating: 5 stars

Distance: 4km

Signposted time: 1.5 hours

Bookings Required? No

Suitable in Winter? Not always, 4WD needed too

Camping Available? Not really

4wd required? In winter

Parking:

 Park at the Flora Carpark at the end of Graham Valley South Branch Road, 36km from Motueka. The road is steep and winding - it is often closed due to slips so make sure you check the road status before heading out. It's also recommended to have a 4WD in wintertime to access this carpark.

The Track:

 The track starts off the same as that to Flora Hut, but soon you come to a junction at the Flora Saddle where you turn left onto the track to Mt Arthur Hut instead. This track is thinner, but still wide enough to hold a childs hand most of the way, and well worn.

It does climb up just over 300m of elevation, with most of that climb done over the last 1km. It is a short and sweet hike though, so kids 3+ should be able to get to the hut on their own feet.

While the walk is harder than the nearby Flora Hut, it is still one of the shortest overnight hikes in the country.

If it's too easy, you can also create a loop with this hut and Flora Hut. Going to one hut, and then taking the track between the huts to the other. The track between the huts can get a bit slippery with all the fallen dracophyllum leaves covering the track, so just take it slow. Then you can either have a relaxed 3 day trip, or a longer overnight loop hike.

The track between the huts is signposted as 1 hour 15 minutes, and is just over 2.5km long. Downhill carrying a child it took us barely more than half an hour.

Hut:

 The hut can be quite busy with the easy access and only 8 bunks.

The beds are platform bunks and you can head past the hut walking part (or all the way) up Mt Arthur if you'd like. The track is much more challenging past the hut.

There are lots of weka around the hut.

Recommendations:

 If you've already done Flora Hut, or are after a more challenging hut than the super easy Flora Hut, this would be a great next step. In winter the area can be covered in snow, so best to visit in summer or shoulder season.