Distance: 5.4 km (3.5 DOC hours) - Unmarked route, clear - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 929m to 1552m. Gain: 673m. Loss: 456m . Gradient: 12 deg (Moderate-hard)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) - Occasional rivers (3/6) Winter - Snow/ice underfoot (2/7)

Unmarked route, clear (7/9)
Unmarked route, follows obvious geography (river, spur, trail, etc)

Secondary, unmapped (4/5)
Route not on maps, an alternative recognised access to hut or along range / catchment

Moderate-hard (difficulty: 4/5)
Continuous moderate climbs

Easy-moderate (difficulty: 2/5)
Tussock / river-gravel / open bush / cut track

Alpine weather (difficulty: 2/7)
Tramp on open tops, exposed to alpine weather

Occasional rivers (difficulty: 3/6)
Occasional rivers - impassible after heavy rain

Snow/ice underfoot (difficulty: 2/7)
Snow/ice likely on track

Route from the Poulter to the Taramakau that avoids the scrub in Townsend Creek.
Source: Brabyn

Alternative higher route from remotehuts.co.nz:

The most popular tops crossing to Townsend is from the Minchin valley via Minchin Pass. From Minchin Biv it is a straightforward amble up to Minchin Pass, then up the the ridge on the southern side of Waterfall Creek basin. It is necessary to traverse points 1461m, 1526m, 1638m and 1731m and drop from point 1731m down towards point 1183m. Don't drop directly down to Townsend Hut, which visible from the Divide in fine conditions, as there is a band of alpine scrub on the face just above it. From point 1183m follow the lip of the fault scarp down to the Hut. Allow 4-5 hours in good conditions for the crossing from Minchin Biv.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

Route from the Poulter to the Taramakau that avoids the scrub in Townsend Creek.
Source: Brabyn

Alternative higher route from remotehuts.co.nz:

The most popular tops crossing to Townsend is from the Minchin valley via Minchin Pass. From Minchin Biv it is a straightforward amble up to Minchin Pass, then up the the ridge on the southern side of Waterfall Creek basin. It is necessary to traverse points 1461m, 1526m, 1638m and 1731m and drop from point 1731m down towards point 1183m. Don't drop directly down to Townsend Hut, which visible from the Divide in fine conditions, as there is a band of alpine scrub on the face just above it. From point 1183m follow the lip of the fault scarp down to the Hut. Allow 4-5 hours in good conditions for the crossing from Minchin Biv.