With the approach of the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, Wanaka gym instructor Sally Soper got together with two other mums and six children for an outdoor adventure into Cardrona's high country at the Snow Farm.

We picked up the kids straight after school on Friday (May 29) and after sorting out the important dinner menu we were up at Snow Farm by 5:00pm, backpacks on our backs and walking along the cross country trails.

Obviously there was no snow (normally we would be skiing) but it still only took about 45 minutes to get to Meadow hut by foot. 

(From left) Pipi Horan, Olivia Jones, Emilie Nicholson and Bella Soper enjoy a perfect sunrise near Bob Lee Hut on the Snow Farm. PHOTO: Supplied

The girls went out for a walk with their head torches while we prepared the nachos for dinner. Everything for cooking and eating is provided at the hut and it sleeps about 20 people but we had the place to ourselves, so we cranked up the fire and enjoyed a beautiful evening. 

Outside the skies were so clear and starry, no inversion layer in sight. 

Early the next morning, the girls got up to walk up to Bob Lee hut to watch the sunrise while we warmed up with cups of tea, cuddled into sleeping bags and reasonably comfortable beds - considering you were in a backcountry hut! 

The group arrives at Meadow hut. PHOTO: Supplied

Everyone cleaned up the breakfast pancakes, tidied up and we were walking the longer way out by about 10am. Back to the carpark about 11.30am and down under the inversion layer by lunchtime. 

Such an easy getaway and if you’re not a skier it’s actually great to do out of ski season. The views from the top of Snow Farm are spectacular and on a good day we have seen Mt Cook.

The Snow Farm has three backcountry huts available for hire. Meadow hut is the largest, sleeping 20; the other two huts sleep fewer - seven in one, six in the other. The huts can be reserved online through the Snow Farm’s booking system here.

The trail to Meadow Hut is a farm track suitable for novice hikers, Sally said, and while it’s dry and there’s no snow, light footwear is fine but if it’s wet or cold she recommends hiking boots.