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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.
