50 BEST Overnight Hikes with Kids in New Zealand

When I was pregnant with our first baby, I kept hearing people say:
“Well, your hiking days are over now!”

But I wasn't ready to give up the bush - and why should I? It's my place of rest and restoration. Instead of shelving our boots, we just packed a ton of nappies and a front pack. And guess what? We loved it, and it was possible! Not just with one child, but then 2, and now even 3!

But it's not just about me. Kids THRIVE in the outdoors. It's the ultimate sensory bin. Rocks to scramble, mud to squish between their fingers, birds to listen for, sticks to turn into wands and walking poles. Every tramp becomes a living, breathing playground - with no clean-up required. Out here, they build resilience without even realising it, learn to manage risk, build confidence, and discover that they're capable of far more than they thought. The bush slows everything down. There are no screens, no rush, no noise. Just space to move, to be wild, and to connect - with nature, with each other, and with themselves.

As our daughter grew and wasn’t so easy to carry anymore, I found something frustrating: information about what huts were actually like with babies, toddlers, and kids was patchy at best. Sure, there were lists floating around for the 5 or so most popular “family-friendly” huts - but we’d already been to all of those.

What I really wanted to know was: What else is out there? And what are some of these next-level non-child friendly huts like with kids? Are they actually safe for us to try?

Some huts marked as “family-friendly” turned out to be great... if you had a tiny baby and were happy carrying everything. They were not so suitable for toddlers, or even for older little kids just finding their tramping feet.

Or they might be great for older kids, but not so great with a baby on your front when you can't see under your feet.

Yet others, listed as “not suitable for children,” ended up being a total win for slightly older kids who were bored stiff by long plain 4WD tracks and actually loved a bit of scrambling.

So I decided that would be my job to write about our experiences with very young kids.

Since then, we’ve visited over 230 huts with kids in tow, and counting. I’ve taken notes at every single one - things like:
✔️ How long did it really take?
✔️ Was there a stream to play in?
✔️ Were the bunks single beds or can you pop 2 mattresses together to co-sleep?
✔️ Were there any dodgy drop-offs?
✔️ Was it clean, dry, and pleasant enough that a new tramper family wouldn’t be scared off?

I wanted real-world info to help families like ours feel confident in the outdoors.

And from that, the My Overnight Adventure Journal books were born.

What Makes a Hut Kid-Friendly?

For a hut to make the cut in my books, it had to tick a few key boxes:

🕒 3 hours max signposted walking time (with a couple exceptions where the signposted-time is generous)

🛏️ Enough beds for an entire whānau (no tiny cute bivvies unfortunately!)

🧹 Clean, tidy, and not totally mouse-infested (yes, I’m looking at you Mānuka Hut… I am still traumatised from that night!)

🏔️ Terrain that’s interesting (technical enough to keep kids engaged), but not unsafe - no sketchy sidles or sheer drop-offs

🌿 A sense of adventure, something memorable - because if kids love it, they’ll want to go again. Some of the hikes aren't the most exciting walk, but they are extremely accessible and a great introduction. Others don't have the most exciting hut, but there is so much to explore near it. Basically there had to be a reason for the hut to be included.

🗺️ The huts in the books also had to be spaced out to a degree - sure there might be 10 kid-friendly huts all in the same location, but I wanted each book to cover the whole island, no matter where in the country a family lives. The maximum for a general location was 3 huts, and only if they were truly all worth including. 

50 of the Best Overnight Hikes with Kids in Aotearoa

Here are the 48 huts that made the final cut into the two editions of My Overnight Adventure Journal – 24 in Te Waipounamu (South Island), and 24 in Te Ika-a-Māui (North Island).
And at the end, I’ve included two bonus huts that didn’t quite make the final cut, but are still amazing options!

 

Te Ika-a-Māui / The North Island 

1. Lane Cove Hut
A stunning short walk through bush and estuary in Northland’s Whangaroa Harbour.  Catch the water taxi out for a trip with a difference!

2. Peach Cove Hut
A great short walk, but with 800 (Yup, you read that right!) steep steps down to the hut. Epic coastal views & Close to Whangārei.

3. Tiritiri Mātangi Bunkhouse
Stay on a predator-free island full of birdsong, short walks, and incredible conservation learning.

4. Pinnacles Hut
A large hut with plenty of room - in fact it's the largest in the country! Perfect for kids who dislike boring tracks, this one is sure to keep them entertained the whole way. Spectacular sunrise views for those who climb to the top.

5. Waitāwheta Hut
Follow an old tramline through regenerating forest. Water play and history galore! It's long for little legs though, so try a stay at 51. Daly's Clearing Hut instead for walking toddlers.

6. Te Whare Okioki
A modern, cozy hut in the Kaimai Range, surrounded by lush ngahere and birdsong. Use the guide in our My Overnight Adventure Journal books to help you learn the difference between the various tree ferns here!

7. Pakihi Hut
Part of the Motu Trail, this hut makes for a peaceful overnight adventure near Ōpōtiki. Get dropped off by Jailhouse Shuttles to walk in one way and out the other to keep things fun.

8. Leitch’s Hut
An easy non-technical walk in an area with not many other hut options for kids. River access and open spaces to play.

9. Kōranga Forks Hut
A rustic gem with a swingbridge and forest magic. Feels like a very little known fun adventure at the end of the world. You're also very likely to see the rare whio!

10. Waihāhā Hut
Accessible via the Pureora Forest, this is a flat walk following the river. Just make sure you bring a tent as it can get busy.

11. Whangatawhia (Skips) Hut
A quiet hut bordering Te Urewera National Park. You can cycle to this one, but you will need a 4WD to get to the carpark.

12. Mangatepopo Hut
The easiest hut to access in the Tongariro National Park. So easy, most kids won't even realise they had to walk there!

13. Waihōhonu Hut
Modern and spacious with incredible mountain views. An old historic hut and the bubbling Ohinepango Springs to explore from here. 

14. Pouākai Hut
Near the famous Pouākai Tarns with great views of Taranaki. Basically a board walk most the way with some non-technical tree root sections, this is a fun track for kids of all ages. (My 2 year old almost walked the whole way to the hut on the 'train tracks'!)

15. Maketawa Hut
A short walk in Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki, perfect for a quick overnighter with younger kids. Exciting ladders to climb up, but slightly technical for toddlers via the Maketawa Track. 

16. Waingongoro Hut
A lush forest walk leads to this hut, with a swingbridge and river to explore. A great easy hut that my kid walked the whole way to at just 2 years old!

17. Blyth Hut
Epic alpine hut with views of Tūroa Skifield! Lovely solid wood hut that's great for first timers - just be aware of the alpine environment.

18. Te Puia Hut (Lodge)
Thermal hot pools at the start & end of this track make this a winner for parents and kids alike. Just be aware of a couple of drop-offs on the track - stay for 2 nights to make the most of the pools.

19. Sunrise Hut
One of the most iconic family huts with a fantastic view and steady gradient. Interesting history past the hut too! Stunning sunrise spot. 

20. Rangiwāhia Hut
A lovely climb to a scenic hut with great views - did you know there used to be a ski lodge here?!

21. Alice Nash Memorial Heritage Lodge
Short and sweet with a stunning feature bridge and river play. Ideal for first-time trampers and toddlers.

22. Akiwhakatū Hut
A fun adventure for kids of all ages. Boardwalks and bridges galore keep things interesting. 

23. Tōtara Flats Hut
Spacious hut and river to play in, but not a hut for first-timers. Great for older kids who are after a next-level, but still kid-friendly challenge. 

24. Tūrere Lodge
A lovely walk into the Orongorongo Valley. Another feature bridge and many old huts to spy from the track. 

Te Waipounamu / South Island

25. Anchorage Hut
Accessible via boat or Abel Tasman Coastal Track, with golden sand and a hut just steps from the beach. Don't forget your togs for this one!

26. Sylvester Hut
A short alpine adventure near Nelson Lakes. Tarn views and more beyond the hut.

27. Flora Hut
One of the easiest on the list, great for preschoolers. Beech forest and birdlife galore. Open space for kids to play.

28. Bushline Hut
A steady climb, but worth it for the views. Check out the historic hut nearby!

29. Speargrass Hut
A moderate challenge with varied terrain and a great hut nestled in the bush. This track is more undulating than you expect, but still great for kids. 

30. Lakehead Hut
A scenic lake-side walk and heaps of birdwatching. A water taxi option exists here too, or bring the kayak!

31. Mt Fyffe Hut
Great hut with views for days! Short but steep track that gets good snow in winter. We've taken the kids skiing here before carrying their ski gear up!

32. Kōhanga Atawhai - Manson-Nicholls Hut
An accessible walk through stunning forest to a hut that was specifically designed with family and school groups in mind. 

33. Nina Hut
Swingbridge fun and lots of beech forest to explore on this West Coast gem. Slightly more technical track can make it hard for toddlers.

34. Dillon Hut
A lesser-known hut along a beautiful river valley. Wild and peaceful. If you've got a 4WD you can drive to within 10 minutes of the hut in good conditions. 

35. Hawdon Hut
Flat walk through an alpine valley. Lots of river crossings, so best saved for mid-summer adventures. 

36. Ōtamahua Hut
On Quail Island, accessible via ferry or kayak. Easy walk, great for first-time hut stays.

37. Packhorse Hut
Close to Christchurch. Ideal for a quick family adventure even mid-week!

38. Rod Donald Hut
Another quick mid-week adventure from Christchurch. Just be aware there is a steep section that can get very muddy and slippery. Good views over Banks Peninsula.

39. Woolshed Creek Hut
Popular family spot with varied scenery - rivers, tunnels, waterfalls. Stay for 2 nights and explore.

40. Hooker Hut
Recently restored and sits in a dramatic alpine setting with a view of Aoraki out the front door! Easily accessible for most.

41. Aspiring Hut
A flat valley walk in the Matukituki Valley to a recently done-up hut. Explore up the valley if you're up for it.

42. Hidden Falls Hut
Incredible Fiordland scenery along the Hollyford Track. Rich Māori history.

43. Routeburn Flats Hut
Short section of the Routeburn Track. Waterfalls and wild valleys along a very well maintained track. Plenty of camping space.

44. Fern Burn Hut
First hut on the Motatapu Track, with exciting terrain for confident walkers. Just not one for the toddlers or preschoolers, and probably best to not visit with bubba on your front due to steep drop-offs.

45. Mid Caples Hut
Gentle terrain and lush forest. Big hut for extended families. Continue on the Greenstone-Caples for a family friendly multi-day trip.

46. Meg Hut
A short steep exposed track but to a location with lots of space to play. Beautifully restored historic hut.

47. Kiwi Burn Hut
A very easy walk for kiddos of all ages. A southland classic for families. 

48. Moturau Hut
On the Kepler Track, right on Lake Manapouri - bring your swimming togs! Nice wide track the whole way.

Bonus Huts

49. Blowfly Hut
A historic gem near Haast with beautiful mossy forest, a stream for splashing, and loads of character. Well off the beaten path but so worth it! It'll likely take you less than 2 hours to walk, even with toddlers in tow, and the track offers so much excitement for all ages.

50. Dominie Hut
At the edge of the Kaweka Forest Park, this one’s just slightly too small for a whole family to sleep in, but the walk is confident kid-accessible. The views are magical, and the bivvy is just such a cute wee thing to visit! Just be aware it is in the alpine zone, and can get very cold overnight. A great one for a one-on-one trip with your older child. 

Want More?

If you're keen to explore these huts with your tamariki, here’s how to get started:

📚 Grab a copy of My Overnight Adventure Journal - South Island or North Island edition
🗺️ Check out our Rexby digital map guide - I’m adding detailed info on over 200 huts, including lots that didn’t make the books
🎒 Grab some gear from our shop – we’ve got baby-safe insect repellent, natural sunscreen, the tramping journals, kid-sized quality outdoor gear, and all the good stuff that actually works in the bush and has been tested by our whānau on these 200+ hut trips!

Whether you’re new to overnight tramps or already seasoned back-country adventurers pre-kids, there’s something magical about introducing your kids to the love of the outdoors.

You don’t have to give up the wild just because you have a baby. You just have to do it a little differently.

And it’s 100% worth it. Even with the heavy weight you'll likely have to carry!

Looking for kid-friendly tramps that are more than just 'technically doable'? Ones that have been truly road-tested by real families? Grab your copy of My Overnight Adventure Journal or dive into our Rexby Map Guide for the most practical, family-focused hut info in Aotearoa.