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Family-Friendly Overnight Hikes for Winter

17th July 2026|3 mins

Winter is on the horizon, bringing shorter days, cooler temperatures and snow in some parts of the motu. If you’re planning an overnight hike, consider how these seasonal changes will impact your trip. Start earlier so you don’t run out of daylight, take a headtorch, pack extra warm layers and avoid alpine areas.

NZ Mountain Safety Council has selected six family-friendly overnight tramps that are suitable for winter, if the forecast plays ball. Before you head out, check the weather and any alerts on Plan My Walk, and be prepared to change your plans if conditions aren’t right for your trip.

Peach Cove Hut, Northland 

The small, 8-bunk Peach Cove Hut (bookings required) with a deck and picnic table that make it easy to spread out and relax outside on sunny days. Just a short walk from the hut, Peach Cove is a great place to explore and take a refreshing (and chilly) dip if you dare. Nestled in native forest, you’ll fall asleep to the calls of kiwi and ruru/morepork, and wake to the dawn chorus.

The 3 km walk (1.5 hours one way) via Peach Cove Track includes multiple stairs, steep drop-offs and muddy sections. It is best suited for older kids with a reasonable level of fitness.  

Need to know:

  • Bookings required
  • No cooking facilities – bring your own cooker and fuel

Pouākai Hut, Taranaki 

The newly opened 34-bunk Pouākai Hut in Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki offers sweeping views of the North Taranaki coastline and plenty of space for families. With four bunk rooms, a separate dining area, solar lighting, a wood burner and generous deck, the hut is well set up for a comfortable stay.

It’s just a short stroll to the famous Pouākai Tarns, which perfectly reflect Taranaki Maunga on a still, clear day. If you’ve still got energy, the beautiful Ahukawakawa wetland is an hour’s walk away and worth the effort.

The easiest access to the hut is from Mangorei Road end via Mangorei Track – a steady 5 km climb, taking around 2 hours on a well-maintained track with boardwalk and steps much of the way.

Need to know:

  • Bookings required
  • No cooking facilities – bring your own cooker and fuel

Blyth Hut, Central North Island

With two separate bunk rooms and a large communal kitchen area with a wood burner, this is a comfortable, spacious overnight option in Tongariro National Park and a popular spot for families.

The 4 km walk (around 1.5 hours) has plenty to see along the way, including the Rotokawa pools – where you may see tadpoles and hear frogs – and the thundering Waitonga Waterfall.

Continue on the Round the Mountain Track beyond the falls to the Blyth Hut turnoff. The track climbs gently through shady beech forest before emerging into open, rocky terrain and the historic Lupton Hut, owned by Whanganui High School and named after the chemistry teacher Mr R Lupton. It’s worth a quick look for the retro décor. Blyth Hut is just 10 minutes further on.

Top tip: Pack your togs for a chilly dip in the waterfall pool. Take the side path on the left just after Lupton Hut and before the staircase.

Need to know:

  • Several stream crossings can become impassable after rain, so check the forecast on Plan My Walk before heading out
  • Bookings required
  • No cooking facilities – bring your own cooker and fuel

Sunrise Hut, Hawke’s Bay

Just a 2-3 hour (6.4 km) walk via Sunrise Track, Sunrise Hut in Ruahine Forest Park comes highly recommended for families by Plan My Walk reviewers. As the name suggests, the hut is well placed for the sunrise and is just a 30-minute walk to the sub-alpine herb fields at Armstrong Saddle, with views of Mt Ruapehu in the distance. 

Sunrise Track is well-marked and maintained, but be aware that it involves a steady climb most of the way. Allow plenty of time for breaks and to enjoy the birdlife and views.

Need to know:

  • Bookings required
  • No cooking facilities – bring your own cooker and fuel

Anchorage Hut, Nelson/Tasman

The first hut on the Abel Tasman Coast Track from Marahau, this is a stunner for families. The 34-bunk hut boasts views of beautiful Anchorage Bay, large decks, small bunk rooms, a common area with huge bay windows and an amazing swimming beach only metres away. It even has flush toilets!

Starting at Marahau, the 4 hour (12.4 km ) walk follows a wide, well-maintained track that meanders gently through coastal beech and kānuka forest. Short side trips lead to golden sandy beaches.

The next day, either retrace your steps or give little legs a rest and book a water taxi back to Marahau.

Need to know:

  • Bookings required
  • No cooking facilities – bring your own cooker and fuel

Anti Crow Hut, Canterbury

This 8-bunk hut is the first stop on the Carrington Hut Route in Arthur’s Pass National Park. Until its renovation last year, the 60-year-old hut had been damaged by a fallen tree and a reputation for being rat-infested. Thanks to Backcountry Trust volunteers, it’s been refreshed throughout, including a new wood burner and deck. With superb views across the Waimakariri River toward Mt Rolleston and Crow Glacier, this is now a sort-after destination and perfect for a family tramp.

It’s a relatively easy 1-3 hour walk along the Waimakarikri River. Not far from the hut is a rocky lookout with sweeping views of the upper Waimakariri Valley.

Need to know:

  • Several stream crossings can become impassable after rain, so check the forecast on Plan My Walk before heading out
  • Bookings required
  • No cooking facilities – bring your own cooker and fuel

Blowfly Hut, West Coast

Don’t let the name put you off – Blowfly Hut is no longer known for blowflies! The 8-bunk hut, which is first come, first served, was built in 1905 for cattle drovers, and reputedly named after the swarms of flies attracted by the animals’ dung. Today, the hut retains the charm of yesteryear but without the flies.

This is the first stop on the Historic Haast to Paringa Cattle Track, which was built in 1875. It’s an easy 3.8 km walk (about 1.5 hours) on a flat, well-maintained track to the hut.

Need to know:

  • Bookings required
  • No cooking facilities – bring your own cooker and fuel

Routeburn Falls Hut, Otago

Give the kids a taste of the spectacular Routeburn Track Great Walk in Mt Aspiring National Park with an overnight tramp to Routeburn Falls Hut. This modern, well-appointed 48-bunk hut features lighting, gas cookers and flush toilets. Just beyond the hut, are the charming Routeburn Falls.

The well-maintained 9.8 km track – about 4 hours walking time – follows the Routeburn River to the photogenic Routeburn Flats, before a short climb with views of the Humboldt Mountains. For an easier option, Routeburn Flats Hut is a stunning location for the night and is just 7.5 km (or 2.5 hours walk) from the trailhead.

Need to know:

  • Bookings required

Find Out More

This article was first published on stuff.co.nz

PHOTO CREDIT | Anna Zorn | Routeburn Falls Hut