northern end, but halved at the south!
The
roof poles are bark covered eucalyptus with a double ridge pole,
covered with corrugated iron and some iron sheeting.
The
floor was originally of stone, but this has disappeared. The
fireplace was rebuilt in 1986 of stones and is a unique style,
but certainly more durable. The hut is very simple, devoid of
windows and furniture, but is very popular and often
photographed.
Caretakers - Staff and Students from Wollungarra.
Copyright
© 2001 Olaf Moon - Kosciusko Huts Association |
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Bluff Hut
Location
Located at The Bluff Track, The Bluff and showing on the Howitt
Selwyn map at GR577810. Access is by 4WD, horse and walking.
Brief History |
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Grazing commenced at the Bluff Lease in the 1940s by Jack Ware
and Eadley Stoney of “Minto Park”. Jack Davon took over in the
1950's.
The
Bluff hut was built in 1955, with all local cattlemen in the
area assisting. Jack Ware shaped the all important timbers.
Jack Ware retired in 1965 and Eadley Stoney died in 1972, so the
Bluff Run was taken over by his son Graeme. Chris Stoney took
over the management of the run and hut in 1992.
Before this, Graeme was declined a “permissive occupancy” of the
hut to run summer trail riding and Nordic skiing, but was later
given it (1985), for the old half of the hut only. Paying guests
and non-paying jostled for use of the fire, within the old
section.
In 1988, High Country Adventures requested the right to modify
the hut to avoid this issue but was denied. The increased number
of 4WD users, and this controversy has lead to increased
interest in the heritage of the hut, and adverse comments on the
extension.
Disputes over use have resulted in the story of Bluff Hut being
haunted by a headless axeman (and it feels like that on a cold
and damp day).
Construction
The centre part of the hut is the original, with a concrete
floor and gable roof over sapling poles, plus a standard
skillion. The two ends are extensions, and do little to maintain
the original grazing format.
Copyright
© 2001 Olaf Moon - Kosciusko Huts Association |
|
Bluff Spur Hut
Location
Located on Bluff Spur, Mt Stirling. Grid 548 907
Access is by horse and walking.
History
As Mt Stirling developed as a cross |
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country ski destination, increased pressure fell on existing
facilities.
After two young skiers, Robert Harris and Xavier Clemann died on
the mountain in 1985, the opportunity was taken to build a hut
in their memory.
It is
set below the tree line on the other side of the summit to
Geelong Grammar Hut and was finished in 1987.
Construction
Vertical pine palings, with duckboards on two sides and a
veranda on one. The steep iron roof allows a mezzanine sleeping
platform to be incorporated above the entrance and store room.
The main floor area features a central pot belly stove, seating
benches against the walls and a tiled floor.
Caretakers - Pajero 4WD Club of Victoria
Copyright
© 2001 Olaf Moon - Kosciusko Huts Association |
|
Craig's Hut
Location
Located at Clear Hills, east of Mt Stirling. It is on the
Stirling Buller map at 585929
Access is by 4WD, horse and walking.
History |
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Craig's
Hut is in the Alpine National Park in Victoria, and was built
especially for the film The Man from Snowy River in 1981. It was
called Craig's after the lead actor, Jim Craig (played by Tom
Burlinson) and re-used in the sequel. Apart from the horses, the
other star of the films is Sigrid Thornton who plays the bosses
daughter, Jessica. Jack Thompson and Kirk Douglas also starred. |
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Between the two films, it was also used for a third Cool Change.
The
pictures to the right are the actual hut used for the film, now
replaced with a more robust version, as it became so popular for
visitors.
There has now been a third variant of this |
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hut
built on the site. The original was a set only and had no floor.
Construction
Horizontal slabs, with bark over iron roof. The original hut was
a “prop” only and had no floor.
Caretakers - John Coffey and the Mansfield 4WD Club
Copyright
© 2001 Olaf Moon - Kosciusko Huts Association |
|
Fry's Hut
Location
Also known as Howqua Hills Homestead, or Forest Commissions
Patrol Hut B236.
Location: |
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Howqua
Track, Howqua Hills on Sheepyard Flat GR404830.
Access is by 4WD, horse and walking. vehicle from Mansfield.
History
The Howqua Hills cattle grazing area was first opened by Dr
Steele in 1868. Jim Fry to whom it is name after, was a carrier
in the area for decades. Fred Fry, his nephew took over the hut
and built others nearby, including Ritchies, Gardners, Upper
Jamieson and Schusters Huts.
Fred
was born in Mansfield in 1897 and died in 1971. He owned 34% of
the hut, with the rest owned by the Government, who were
surprised to discover the fact, only after Fred became ill, and
was taken to Melbourne Hospital.
Maintenance of the hut after Fred's death has been a real issue,
with the Federation of Victorian Bushwalking Clubs supposed to
take over. However, government foresters undertook restorations
in 1975 and again in 1988. Today the hut is in very average
condition, but given its popularity with walkers, and location
right beside the old Howitt Township site, its preservation is
essential.
Construction
Original plans show a house of five rooms. It has a high gable
roof over a solid drop slab building with skillions and a
veranda. The original malthoid lining has all gone.
Fred
Fry was known for his unique style of roof building, where the
main supports ran the length of the roof, and were pulled in a
rolling fashion, up the roof using horses and a chain. Getting
the ridge log in place, was the most difficult task, after which
the others followed more easily.
Copyright
© 2001 Olaf Moon - Kosciusko Huts Association |
|
Guys Hut
Location
Located at Howitt Road, Bryces Plain (Snowy Plains). Grid
Reference 780 729 on the Tamboritha Moroka map.
Access is by 4WD, horse and walking.
History |
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Alex
Guy acquired Wonnangatta Station and the Snowy Plains freehold
in 1934. The hut was built to replace a nearby hut, now gone,
for mustering in March 1940.
Alex
died in 1949 and was succeeded by his sons, Jack and Arthur.
Their Wonnangatta homestead was burnt down in 1959, and the
lease transferred to the Gilder Family in 1970, thereafter soon
bought by the Victorian Government.
The
historically important Holmes Plains Yards are about 1 kilometre
away on Bryces Plain.
Construction
The hut was originally built three logs high, and later extended
to seven logs high. The timber frames are adzed snow gum found
locally and form a gabled roof, now covered with corrugated
iron.
The
floor is paved with basalt blocks, and the chimney is dry stone
construction.
Caretakers - Wollungarra Students.
Copyright
© 2001 Olaf Moon - Kosciusko Huts Association |
|
Howitt Hut
Access is by 4WD, horse and walking.
Location
History
Construction |
 |
|
Copyright © 2001
Olaf Moon - Kosciusko Huts Association |
|
King Hut
History to follow |
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Lovick's Hut
Photo and history to follow |
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Mt 3 Refuge Hut
History to follow |
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Pickering's Hut
History to follow |
 |
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Razorback Hut
History to follow |
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Tomahawk Hut
History to follow |
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Upper Jamieson Hut
History to follow |
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Vallejo Ganter Hut
History to follow |
 |
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Australian Alps National Parks Huts Code
From a publication put together by Australian Alps National
Parks
The Australian Alps (extending from Victoria through New South
Wales and the ACT) has around two hundred historic huts. With
some dating from the 1860s, the huts come from every era of
European history in the Australian Alps. They were built for
simple shelter by graziers, gold miners, foresters, government
workers, skiers and bushwalkers.
These huts represent part of the rich cultural heritage of the
Alps and the huts need to be managed to ensure their survival.
You can protect the huts by following the suggestions in this
code below. Our huts will then continue to provide a unique
perspective into the heritage of the Australian Alps.
Visiting the Huts
°
Huts are for temporary refuge only, not for
accommodation.
°
Enjoy visiting the huts but do not use them for
overnight
accommodation as their cultural values can easily be destroyed.
° In Victoria some huts are not available for public use.
Several huts
are licensed to clubs and graziers have prior rights to huts
associated with their grazing licenses in Victoria. Graziers may
arrive
at any hour of the day or night.
°
Leave the hut clean and secure
°
Leave the hut as you would like to find it. If you
must use the
fireplace, check the fire is out and close the doors and windows
securely. Don’t leave emergency food stores in the hut as they
clutter
up the hut and encourage rats.
°
Leave No Trace
°
Plan ahead
°
Think before your trip about weather, equipment and
safety.
°
Use a fuel stove
Fuel stoves are quicker and cleaner for you and better for the
bush.
Using fuel stoves for cooking reduces firewood consumption around
huts. Some areas are designated fuel stove only. Escaping fires
will
severely damage the delicate environment and firewood can be
scarce or even non-existent above the tree line. Please check with
your local park service to locate these areas.
°
If you must have a fire, never leave it unattended
and ensure it is out
before leaving. If you need to light a fire to keep warm, make sure
you keep it small and within an existing fireplace.
Huts have always been left unlocked, stocked with matches and a
small amount of dry firewood and kindling.
People generally looked after each other. They needed to if they
were
to survive the rigors of mountain life.
This tradition, maintained today, has helped many people in trouble
and will undoubtedly help more, maybe even you.
°
Carry it in, Carry it out
°
Whatever it is, don't burn, bury or leave anything.
Pack to minimize
rubbish, don't take potential rubbish such as bottles, cans and
excess packaging. Don't bury any rubbish. It is often dug out by
native animals and may harm them.
°
Got to 'Go’?
Use a toilet or take a walk - at least 100 paces from water and
campsites. Dig 15cm deep and cover well.
Where no toilets exist, bury your toilet wastes in a hole 15cm
deep,
at least 100 metres from the nearest watercourse or hut. In high
use
areas without toilets, plan to carry out your toilet waste.
°
Collecting water
Collect water from upstream of the hut to avoid possible pollution.
Boil water for at least five minutes to avoid gastroenteritis and
Giardia and help ensure they do not spread to new areas.
°
Wash at least 100 metres from watercourses
Alpine waterways are easily damaged. Detergents, toothpaste and
soap, even biodegradable types, harm aquatic life. Use sand, gravel
or snow to wash up, rather than detergents.
°
Stay on track
Even if it’s muddy or dusty, don’t widen tracks or take shortcuts.
°
Enjoy the Alps but leave no trace
Walking, driving, camping, skiing, riding, climbing, paddling –
whatever you do, aim to leave no trace.
People Working Together
The practices outlined above apply to all natural areas and are
essential to the protection of most sensitive environments such
as coastlines, rainforests and alpine areas. The Australian Alps
are particularly fragile and require your care and protection to
survive.
With the assistance of Environment Australia, land managers in
the ACT, NSW and Victoria are developing cooperative approaches
to managing Australia's alpine national parks. This code is part
of the cooperative management to protect Australia’s alpine
areas.
The Australian Alps national parks include linked conservation
reserves stretching for the outskirts of Canberra through the
Snowy Mountains of NSW to near Mansfield and Licola in Victoria.
They are:
°
Namadgi National Park (ACT)
°
Kosciusko and Brindabella National Parks, Scabby
Range and
Bimberi Nature Reserves (NSW)
°
Alpine, Mt Buffalo and Snowy River National Parks
and Avon
Wilderness (Victoria) |
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