Carrington Hut with Kids
Family Hiking Adventure in the Waimakariri Valley, NZ
Two Nights, Two Huts, Countless Memories
Film linked below!
A REAL DEAL high country FAMILY MISSION
Our route from the carpark included multiple river crossings. Reach out if you’d like a Topo GPX file to overlay for your trip.
If you're looking for a classic slice of Canterbury high country adventure, let me take you up the Waimakariri Valley for a two-night journey packed with family, friends, and the kind of rugged beauty that sticks with you.
We kicked things off at the Klondyke Corner car park at the end of the gravel road, heading roughly 5.5 km (about 2 hr 20 min) across the riverbed to Anticrow Hut. When we stayed, the hut was in the middle of a revamp – but it's now fully refurbished with new bunks, a deck, and a wood burner. It’s also now bookable. We opted to pitch our trusty Kiwi Camping Weka hiking tents outside for the full under-the-stars experience.
Tip: When the Waimakariri River is low, the quickest way up the valley is to cut straight across the riverbed from the end of the gravel road, aiming for Turkey Flat. From there, you can either continue up the valley floor or pick up the track behind Anti Crow Hut. If the river’s high or gnarly to cross, DOC recommends taking the O’Malley Track from the true right side of the Waimak, following it up to Turkey Flat and on to Anti Crow without having to cross the main river channel. Handy to know, especially with kids in tow.
Anti Crow Hut to Carrington Hut
Day two: After meeting up with friends, we pushed further up the valley to Carrington Hut – a 10 km stretch that took about 4 hr 30 min with plenty of snack breaks and photo ops. The track winds through river flats, pockets of beech bush, and scattered rock outcrops, with the peaks slowly closing in around you. Shortly after swinging left from the Waimakariri and meeting the mighty White River, the hut appears almost suddenly – Carrington’s a bit of a South Island legend: roomy, full of history, and perched right where the valley starts feeling properly alpine.
Night two: Hut vibes were high – slingshot action in the tussock and our go-to tramping games: Telestrations, Balderdash, and Greed (hot chocolate-dipped strawberries).
The walk out: We retraced our steps the next morning with packs slightly lighter and legs slightly heavier. The river crossings were straightforward this trip, but there’s one that definitely needed a group link-up. Like always – keep an eye on conditions and the DOC website, and don't mess with a river that’s on the rise.
Final thoughts:
It’s the kind of mission that doesn’t just tick the “scenic” box – it gets under your skin. Rugged but doable. Just mountains, rivers, memories… and a head full of moments to take home with you.