Child friendly rating: 5 stars

Distance: 8km

Signposted time: 2 hours

Bookings Required? No

Suitable in Winter? Yes

Camping Available? Plenty

4wd required? No

Parking:

The safest route to the hut is via O'Malley's Track. Park at the O'Malley's carpark which is along SH73 just before the long white bridge over the Waimakariri River. There's a small little hidden entrance into the carpark here.

If Waimakariri River levels are low you can shorten the trip by parking at Klondyke Corner. While this way is shorter, it involves several crossings of the Waimakariri which I wouldn't recommend with young kids.

The Track:

 The track follows an obvious undulating track from the carpark. Normal adult time this section takes around 1 hour till you get to Turkey Flat. Very pregnant mama, a walking 2.5 year old and 7 year old it took us just over 2 hours.

There are a coupe of creek crossings which you should be able to keep dry feet over if you carry toddlers across. My 7 year old kept her shoes dry fine. You are in the bushline the whole time, so nice and sheltered.

The next section over Turkey Flat is easy with great views. It's almost flat on grass, with lupins in late spring/ early summer.

Then you enter the bushline again just before the hut.

Other than the undulating track at the start, the track is relatively flat and straightforward. Most kids 3+ would be able to walk decent chunks, but it is a little long for most of them to walk the whole way.

Hut:

 The hut is a standard NZFS S-70 design 6 bunk hut with an updated woodburner. It was also done up with a new deck and platform beds by the Backcountry Trust in 2025. It is now bookable.

It sits in a good wee clearing close to the Waimakariri River.

Recommendations:

This is a good hut to visit with kiddos of all ages (if you're prepared to carry under 4's). Since being done up, it has become a great introduction to backcountry huts with the bookable guaranteed bed.