Child friendly rating: 5 stars

Distance: 7.5km

Signposted time: 3 hours

Bookings Required? Yes - In season

Suitable in Winter? Usually

Camping Available? Yes both at paid campsite, and across the river

4wd required? No

Parking:

Park at the Routeburn Carpark at the end of Routeburn Road.

The Track:

 The track is a great walk, so very well maintained, and nice and wide - you can hold at least one childs hand while walking the whole time.

There are some slight undulations, but the track is basically flat. It is a longer distance for little legs (Under 5's) so expect some carrying of them incase they're not in the mood to walk.

There is a toilet approximately halfway along the track. With a few spots to access the river near here, it's a good spot to have a lunch break.

The bush is gorgeous with lots of bird life.

With 3 kids, the youngest walking one aged 5, it took us about 5.5 hours including lunch to walk. Another trip with just a baby in a carrier it took under 2 hours to walk.

Hut:

 Being a great walk hut, the hut is massive with large cooking facilities, separate lounge, and a huge clearing to play in.

Camping is available both at the paid campsite, or if both the hut and campsite are booked out, if you cross the river heading up the Routeburn North Branch track, you can camp here for free. Make sure you are at least 500 metres away from the hut.

In-season bookings are required and the hut is much more expensive - out of season, the hut is a standard serviced hut price and hut passes can be used. Bookings are only required in season, and the hut books out fast. Out of season, the hut tends to be busy the first week either side of the season. This is however a hut that most people walking the full routeburn skip, so nabbing a booking can be easier than trying to get a booking for the whole track.

Gas and flushing toilets are at the hut in season, but turned off off-season - you'll have to use the long drops and BYO gas instead.

Recommendations:

 This is a great hut to visit for any age as the walk is easy. Social kids particularly will love it as it tends to be busy. Kids who prefer to keep to themselves may appreciate camping across the river instead.