Monday

High Country Huts


In the Australian Alps there are around 200 historic huts, some dating back to the early 1860’s. They were built by cattlemen and gold miners to offer shelter from the wild mountain weather, and more recently by foresters, skiers and bushwalkers. They are still used today as places of refuge by those hiking, riding, skiing or four-wheel driving through the mountain.

We visited 4 of the huts over the weekend.

Bluff’s Hut

Built in 1956 by local cattlemen to use as shelter when driving their cattle up to the plains in summer, it burnt down during bushfires in 2007 & was rebuilt in 2008. The evidence of the fires is still so obvious with the skeletons of the Snow Gums protruding from the new growth surrounding the hut.

Lovick’s Hut

Built originally in 1925, it too was destroyed by bushfires in 2003 & rebuilt in 2008.

Most of the huts are single room with fireplace, earthen or stone floor, constructed with timber found onsite and corrugated iron.

Bindaree Hut

Originally built by cattleman Jim Ware in 1914, this little hut was rebuilt in 1937 paid for by Mansfield Tourist Association to encourage bushwalkers to the area. Bindaree Hut sits alongside the Howqua River and is a popular camping spot.

Craig’s Hut

Craigs’s hut is probably the most famous of all the Alpine huts… but it is not historic. It is a replica cattleman’s hut constructed in 1981 for the movie The Man from Snowy River. It too burnt down in the bushfires of 2006, but was completely rebuilt in 2007.

It sits on top of a mountain, not far from Mount Sterling . The view across the mountains from the hut are stunning and it has become a popular spot to visit. 

Friday

April 27, 2018

This cute little guy is a juvenile male Superb Fairy-wren,
who is just starting to acquire his blue colouring. 

Thursday

April 26, 2018

Another dry Autumn day.

For the last 3 months we have only had 9mm rain, which is 10% of our average for this time of year. 

Wednesday

Anzac Day

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

Saturday

April 21, 2018

Customer approves

Photo from our truck driver who delivered hay to Cobar today, 600kms north of our farm.

Saturday

April 7, 2018

Bit excited to come across this little guy on my farm walk this morning.

It is a juvenile Buff-rumped Thornbill
… well that’s what I think it is. I am happy to be corrected.

Update: I have been advised that this little bird is indeed a female Red-capped Robin not a Buff-rumped Thornbill. Even more exciting!!

Friday

April 6, 2018

Just a hint of a fog this morning;
the nights are cooling down but the days still warm and dry.

Thursday

April 5, 2018

Across the district rice harvest is getting underway.

We farm in the Riverina, southern NSW which is where rice is predominantly grown within Australia. We have many rice farmers around us but we don’t actually grow rice on our farm because our soil types are not suitable; rice requires clay based soil and we have sandy loam soils that are instead perfect for growing lucerne (alfalfa).

Our climate makes it ideal for the production of high quality medium grain rice. Australian growers produce more rice per hectare than anywhere else in the world with 50% less water than the global average.

Monday

April 2, 2018

Byramine Homestead celebrated 175 years this weekend.

Built in 1842 this 4 bedroom home has a unique central octagonal shaped room, called the fortress, which was designed to provide a view of all angles in case of attack from bushrangers.

It is located near Yarrawonga in northern Victoria alongside the Murray River.

Sunday

April 1, 2018

Bilbies are rare, we only see them on our farm once a year.