Child friendly rating: 4.5 stars

Distance: 3km

Signposted time: 1 hour

Bookings Required? No

Suitable in Winter? Yes

Camping Available? Yes

4wd required? Ideally yes, or you'll need to walk further. If you don't care too much about your 2wd and have higher clearance, you will likely be fine. People have taken small Suzuki's in and been fine, There are just several fords to drive through, and the last one is probably the one you may have to leave your 2wd at. It is around 1km before the start of the track.

Parking: Park at the very end of Totara Valley Road, off SH6. It is a very long winding road.

The Track: While this is a short and not too technical walk, there are just a few things to be aware of.

There is one main river crossing just before the hut, as well as several smaller creek crossings along the way. The track can also get very muddy, especially closer to winter time. Because of the river crossings, this track can't be visited after heavy rain. In good conditions, it's a great walk.

The track varies between a 4wd track, and a one-person wide track. It swaps between being in the bush and out in open farmland with cows roaming.

When you pass the historic farm homestead, you're almost halfway to the hut.

When out in the open farmland, there are sections through the scrub. They are pretty well marked, but just be cautious to not accidentally follow an animal track loosing the main track.

The river crossing just before the hut of the Dickson River is at small adult calf height. My 7.5yo crossed it fine linked up with mum. You will get wet boots. There are also several little creek crossings earlier where you will be able to keep your boots dry.

As the sole adult with 3 kids (baby, 3.5yo and 7.5yo) it took us 1hr20 there, and 1hr20 back. We weren't super rushed, and the 3.5yo walked most of the way, but was still carried for short bits.

Most of the track is not following close to the larger river, so the river is actually not as huge a risk as some tracks for kids that like to be walking a little ahead.

Hut: The hut is a standard NZFS S70 6-bunk, in a nice sunny clearing with great views.

Recommendations: In good conditions, this can be a fantastic first hut to visit with all ages, however you do especially need to be aware of the river crossing. Kids 5 & under will most likely need to be carried over. If the river is discoloured or flowing high at the start of the track, it'll be best to return a different day.

The river and the mud are what stops this track from being a 5 star hut.

While the distance is toddler friendly, the mud will likely mean toddlers will need to be carried for chunks if they're having a day they don't want to touch mud, or have a sensory aversion to walking through it. If they're having a day they want to be coated in mud, make sure they wear gumboots instead of tramping boots, and have waterproofs top and bottom.