Walking up the Sunrise Track and returning via the Waipawa River is an interesting trip. Approximately 1 hour from the Sunrise carpark, the track drops steeply down to the Waipawa River and the Waipawa Hut is located 200 metres downstream on the southern side of the river. Sunrise carpark can be reached by walking an unmarked route down the Waipawa riverbed to farmland where a track climbs the true left bank and continues on for 2 kilometres to the carpark.

Please note that it can be dangerous to cross or follow the river when the water level is higher than normal.