Snowy's a wonderful place on a sunny day. Beware of onga onga hanging around the hut and nearby areas.
I thought the river was in low flow, but we certainly still required a short pack-float (or swim) in a gorgey bit *just* downstream of the confluence between the East and West Waiotauru.
I've heard informally that there are some old logging tracks around which might make it possible to avoid this section... particularly on the true right of the river. We didn't see any obvious way up the side for anything like that, but also weren't looking too hard.