Walk for a 6 year old

[Phil]

Hey guys

I just want to pick your brains if that's ok!!

With school holidays upon us (after today); I was thinking of taking my 6 year old for his first 'bush experience' at some stage over the next 2 weeks. The young fella loves the outdoors (don't all young boys!) and we have done a few short walks with him like Liffey Falls, Tamar Island, Hollybank Forest, and around the Trevallyn Reserve, Gorge and Duck Reach areas (close to where we live).

He has been asking me for a while though to take him 'camping' and I'm thinking I might be able to fit an overnighter in with him before schools goes back. After seeing Nic S's photos and trip report to Lady Lake and the hut there; I was wondering what other fairly easily accessible huts you guys might recommend to take a 6 year old to? Obviously we would need a back up plan and take the tent anyway; but hopefully we can bunk up in a hut somewhere for a night.

So the question is; what walks/huts would you guys recommend for an overnight trip that may be suitable to take a 6 year old?......we'd be sticking to the northern half of our beautiful state.

Thanks

Phil

[frenchy_84]

For a tenting option there is always the Lake McKenze area. The advanatge of mckenzie is that u can drive to the top so there isnt any steep walking and then open walking on top, either blue peaks or lake balmoral, (the hut at nameless is probably to far away). But that said, i dont have kids so i have no idea what a 6 year old can do, it was my first overnight trip and i would have been close to that age and you can fish.

[Drifting]

Pine Hut, if it's not too soggy. I took my 5yo daughter there for her first overnighter outside of a cabin/campground. She loved it.

[Liamy77]

what about lady lake hut?

[taswegian]

I took my 6 yr old to the walls - this one is an older shot of her.
We had many trips form an early age and some rather exciting ones.
You do need good weather though which is a bit scarce at moment.

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[taswegian]

One night we woke to strange noises. Hadn't realised till morning what the fuss was about.
A tasy devil had dragged my pack outside and crunched things and tore my pack about somewhat. (Insurance company paid up but it was a strange explanation).
We met some other walkers later and dear daughter couldn't help herself and blurted out the nights events.
They were very kind and plied chocs and other goodies to her which was very kind.

She also wasn't too sure of the toilet facilities at Lees Huts.

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Toilet_Leespaddocks.jpg (101.79 KiB) Viewed 4345 times

[Phil]

Thanks for the advice. I'm liking the idea of Lady Lake and the hut up there at the moment. Will see how we go

[Liamy77]

yup thats definately high up on my list once i get my mob back over there.......

[flyfisher]

Lady lake hut is fantastic, as long as the 6yo can find the climb not too daunting,around 500 vertical metres.
Once you are "up"the rest is easy.
ff

[PTCB]

I took my 2 kiddies up to Lady Lake yesterday. They loved it and there is even some snow left from the snowfall last week!! They are 10 and 7, there is heaps to keep them entertained with and with regular rest stops the climb is not that daunting. From the carpark it took one and a half hours to the top. They had a graet time.

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View from the top

[Phil]

I took my 2 kiddies up to Lady Lake yesterday. They loved it and there is even some snow left from the snowfall last week!! They are 10 and 7, there is heaps to keep them entertained with and with regular rest stops the climb is not that daunting. From the carpark it took one and a half hours to the top. They had a graet time.

Hi PTCB,

Thanks for the info on your trip yesterday. As a father there is obviously a lot to consider when thinking about something like this and I didn't want to dive into something that we'd regret afterwards (or during!!); your report has given me the encouragement to probably take the young fella up there knowing that it certainly is achievable for kids of that age (we really do underestimate their abilities sometimes too though!).

Looks like you had a great day

Phil

[Liamy77]

maybe this might come in handy.... it is set for a 10 X 15 cm photo print....
i use this method as the paper is waterproof ... or at least the "ink" (not really ink at all) will not run and the paper takes a lot to soak.... makes handy walk cards for others in your group....

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[flyfisher]

Hi PCTB, great weather yuo had up there, so different to at the weekend when we were there, you wouldn't have been able to see the hut from there and the amount of water was unreal.
ff