Bookable Lane Cove Hut sits on the water’s edge. Photo: Shaun Barnett / Black Robin Photography

50 great walks for kids

Features, Wild Families

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Sonia Barrish

Sonia has written two books to help families start tramping, and has a business making outdoor skincare.

By Sonia Barrish

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Leigh Hopkinson

Leigh is our deputy editor. She spends weekends in the hills and weekdays as a journalist and editor.

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Diana Ward

A writer, TV director and producer, Diana pairs her love of adventuring with storytelling.

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Jennifer Parkes

Jennifer is a freelance writer, photographer and blogger for ‘Backyard Travel Family’.

Written by Sonia Barrish with guest authors Leigh Hopkinson, Diana Ward, Jennifer Parkes

Read more from

January/February 2026

View more by author

Sonia Barrish

Sonia has written two books to help families start tramping, and has a business making outdoor skincare.

By Sonia Barrish

View more by author

Leigh Hopkinson

Leigh is our deputy editor. She spends weekends in the hills and weekdays as a journalist and editor.

View more by author

Diana Ward

A writer, TV director and producer, Diana pairs her love of adventuring with storytelling.

View more by author

Jennifer Parkes

Jennifer is a freelance writer, photographer and blogger for ‘Backyard Travel Family’.

Written by Sonia Barrish with guest authors Leigh Hopkinson, Diana Ward, Jennifer Parkes

Keen to take your tamariki tramping these summer school holidays? We asked expert family trampers for their top hikes. The result is 50 outstanding day walks, overnighters and multi-day trips that are sure to get your little people loving the outdoors.

By Sonia Barrish, Diana Ward, Rae Lerew, Leigh Hopkinson, Jen Parkes and Mel Jarratt From lush forests to rugged coastlines, New Zealand is a playground of possibilities when it comes to getting little people excited about tramping. What makes a hike child-friendly? It’s not necessarily what you might think – flat and easy can mean […]

About the author

Sonia Barrish

Sonia has become mildly obsessed with hutbagging, and brings her three children along for the adventure. She’s written two books to help families start tramping, and has a business making outdoor skincare. With over 250 huts bagged all around the country with kids in tow, Sonia’s full of knowledge about kid-friendly tramping.