Child friendly rating: 3 stars

Distance: 3km

Signposted time: 2.5 hours

Bookings Required? No

Suitable in Winter? Likely not

Camping Available? Yes

4wd required? No

Parking:

Park at the Tamaki West Road end. There is a small parking bay.

The Track:

Near the beginning is a creek crossing - but this is small enough that kids 5+ should be able to hop over with dry socks.

The track starts off wide and easy enough for toddlers, however as you begin climbing, the track gets thinner and more and more overgrown. At the start there are switchbacks, but as you get higher, there are sections where you need to pull yourself up - fun for bigger kids.

The track is therefore not really toddler or preschooler friendly (unless they’re being carried). In some sections the overgrowing shrubbery was up to my neck height with the steepness of the track so small kids will get lost. The overgrowing shrubbery is also not ideal for kids with sensory issues especially in or just after rain. You will get wet from the shrubbery and the likely then muddy steep sections.

There are no massive drop offs, and except for the last 500m or so of steep climb, there’s space to sit and have a break in most spots. After the steep climb, the track begins to level off, and you eventually hit a 4wd track just before the hut.

The steep climb is however very hard for little kids regardless of the over-growing shrubbery. It is very steep, and some sections are slippery especially after rain.

With an 8yo, 4yo walking, and a baby being carried it took us 3 hours 10 minutes up. I thought we’d be a little faster on the downhill, but it still took us 2 hours 30 which is the uphill signposted time.

There is no cellphone reception at the carpark, but around half an hour in, and the rest of the way to the hut, there is reception.

Hut:

The hut has a set of bunks with mattresses, and then a sleeping platform for about 4 with no mattresses. If co sleeping with kids, can easily bring the mattresses onto the platform bed and sleep there. It was recently done up, and is pretty tidy with a wood burner. The sink (with no tap) is outside under shelter, and there is also a water tank which has a tap on it. The hut does sit on a nice flat area which is great for playing and exploring.

Recommendations:

The track is short, but it is not the easiest for little people. I would recommend it for older kids - 6yo+ will likely enjoy it if they're capable. Under 6 can walk it, but may not enjoy the steepness nor the shrubbery in face.

The track isn't super 'child-friendly' with this, but with it being such a short distance, it's only hard for a short time. It may be better after you've done some easier trips already to build up kids confidence.