Child friendly rating: 1 stars

Distance: 16km

Signposted time: 5 hours

Bookings Required? No

Suitable in Winter? No

Camping Available? Yes plenty

4wd required? No

Parking:

Park along Double Hill Run Road just past Glenrock. There is a DOC sign and parking space just on the side of the road on the grass.

On the way to the carpark there are 4 fords to cross. 2wd cars will be fine as long as they're not super low and there hasn't been a huge amount of rain.

The Track:

The first section of this track is simply the track to nearby A-Frame Hut. Check out the page for that hut for details on that section.

After A-Frame hut you need to cross the creek near the hut. You will get wet boots crossing this, though likely you'll already have wet boots from the section to A-Frame.

Then the track continues along the same 4wd, remaining relatively flat for about 2km.

After this you have the option to continue following the 4wd road, or follow the foot track. I would 100% recommend taking the foot track. This stays on the true left of the river, while the 4WD road crosses the river multiple times - and it's not a small river! I wouldn't have crossed the river when we went, though it was spring and not in peak low flow.

Following the foot track there are no markers, but basically follow the river downstream. There are a couple of cairn markers to help though, but you really just have to follow what looks the best path to you.

One section is very boggy - like you will sink up to your knees boggy. It's best to climb up the hill a little and follow this instead.

Another section just after requires you to walk in the edge of the river. Careful with little kids here - best to carry them - as the river is very deep and swift and the rocks can shift in the riverbed.

But once you've passed these sections, you'll link back onto the 4WD road and climb up the side of the hill. You'll climb for around 2km before then dropping down into another creek to cross.

Then you'll drop down further to the main Turtons Stream which you'll need to cross. This is a big one and was almost up to my shorts, and even on my tall husband reached his knees. We carried even our 9 year old over the river.

But once you've crossed, it's an easy flat 700m or so to the hut.

With a 1 & 4 year old carried most of the way and 9 year old walking the whole way, it took us 2 hours 5 minutes from A Frame Hut. So a total of 6 hours 15 minutes from the carpark (Excl the lunch break at A Frame) and the 4 year old walked as far as A Frame. Back took around half an hour less.

Hut:

The hut is an old historic one. It was renovated in the 2000's, but there is still no insulation. 8 bunks, and plenty of playing space around the hut.

Recommendations:

 This is a big trip for kids. It could be great for older kids who need a challenge, but with the track being very exposed the whole way, you don't want it to be cold or hot or windy while walking here. The nearby A-Frame hut is also a much nicer hut to stay at. The river crossings can also be quite hairy so you wouldn't want to do this after even a days steady rain.