Distance: 400 meters
Signposted time: 10 minutes
Bookings Required? No
Suitable in Winter? Yes
Camping Available? Yes
4wd required? No
Parking: Take the turn-off for the Cass-Lagoon Track and Wilderness Lodge off SH73, just before Bealey village. Follow Cora Lynn Road to the Cass Lagoon Carpark.
The Track: It's a rocky, uphill, short walk to the hut from the carpark. It's not really hard, but it can be a bit steep and the rocks a little large for toddlers. On the downhill on the way out they should be fine if holding an adults hand, but they may struggle on the way up. But if you don't mind taking your time, or carrying them on the uphill, you should be fine.
Our daugher walked out from here on her own at 2 years old in under 10 minutes (Though holding hands with mum and dad for stability)
The Hut: Is a basic 6-bunk NZFS S70 design.
It can be busy during summer being on the Te Araroa, especially on weekends - some trampers are known to make the drive from Christchurch after work on a Friday to stay here cheaply before heading further out tramping over the weekend.
Recommendations: If you're not worried about the uphill, this is a great tramp to do with little legs. It's a short enough walk that you can return for more gear if needed to avoid carrying too heavy of a pack at once. This is also useful if your tramping gear is not quite lightweight enough for a 'real' trip yet as it's only 400m to carry it (Though that is 400m uphill) It's also a great confidence booster to young preschoolers / toddlers that they can walk the whole way to a hut.