Child friendly rating: 3 stars

Distance: 9.8km

Signposted time: 4 hours

Bookings Required? Yes - In season

Suitable in Winter? Usually not

Camping Available? No

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 child's hand while walking the whole time at least as far as Routeburn Flats.

There are some slight undulations, but the track is basically flat as far as Routeburn Flats. 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 section to Routeburn Flats. 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.

After Routeburn Flats, the track heads sharply up the hill. The track is still wide enough to hold a child's hand most of the way, but it does get thinner, and once you're near the hut, there is a more rocky section which is more of a climb with a handrail to hold on to. In winter this can be covered in ice and extremely dangerous.

There are some exposed sections of track, but you are generally in the bushline as far as the hut.

With 3 kids, the youngest walking one aged 5, it took us about 7.5 hours including breaks to walk. Another trip with just a baby in a carrier it took around 3 hours to walk including breaks.

Hut:

Being a great walk hut, the hut is massive with large cooking facilities, separate lounge, and amazing views.

Camping is only available at Routeburn Flats.

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.

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 can be a good hut for kids for whom Routeburn Flats would be too easy a walk as it has that further challenge plus it's got the amazing views that you just can't see from the flats.

While Routeburn Flats are generally fine to visit in winter, I wouldn't recommend this hut in winter with kids. There is also no fireplace and with such a massive hut at high elevation it can be freezing in winter.