Mt Hotham Track Notes

THE HUTS The Huts Walk WALK Silver Brumby Hut The original Silver Brumby Hut was built in 1992 as a tempo- Huts Bush Walking Walking

Heritage rary film prop for the Australian film “The Silver Brumby”, based Gold Mining High Country on the famous novel by Elyne Mitchell and starring Russell Summer is a great time to explore the Mt Hotham Alpine Resort Crowe. The present hut was built in 2006-7 as a replica of the and the surrounding Alpine National Park. A variety of tracks original. A joint project of the Rotary Club of Sale Central, and trails access some of Australia’s best views, unique flora and East Gippsland Institute of Tafe, Tanderra Ski Club and the Mt fauna and some of the regions richest history. Hotham Resort Management Board. Situated in the Plains of Heaven on Swindler’s Creek, the location is an ideal spot for a Huts have played an important role in the European history of picnic lunch. the Mt Hotham region. From the earliest crude buildings of the miners and cattle graziers, wayside shelters for early travellers and tourists and the important refuges for the pioneer skiers. The Huts Walk takes in three important huts, each which represent an important place in the history of Australia’s Alpine region. Silver Brumby Hut Brumby Silver Creek Swindler’s of Heaven, Plains

Doing the Walk

Spargo’s Hut, Golden Hut, Point Spargo’s The Huts Walk offers bushwalkers a unique opportunity to experience some of the high country’s rarely seen significant natural and historic landscapes. The walk takes you through a Spargo’s Hut range of natural landscapes, from shady and sparsely open One of the oldest intact structures in the resort, this State woodland to damp gullies. In late January, early February, the Heritage registered building has been described as the area is ablaze with a range of spectacular wild flowers. Quieter Mawson’s Hut of the Australian Alps. It was built by prospector walkers may also spot local inhabitants, such as a grazing Bill Spargo and his brother Cecil in 1927-8 for Bill’s prospecting wombat or a foraging flame robin. and mining activities in the Golden Point area. Bill was Supervi- sor of the Hotham section of the Alpine Road for the Country Roads Board (CRB) in the early 1920s and was influential in the establishment of Mt Hotham as a recreational skiing location. He later discovered the rich gold-bearing Red Robin reef on Machinery Spur in 1941. The hut is a survivor of the 1939, 2003 and 2013 bushfires. Swindler’s Creek footbridge Creek Swindler’s

The Huts Walk can be done as a complete circuit or individual sections suited to personal fitness levels or interests (see map on other side). The walk is accessible from the Great Alpine Road at the Alpine Crossing Trail Head, Loch Car park or Davenport Access Track.

Derrick Hut Spur / Dibbin’s Swindler’s Car parking is available at both these areas. At the southern, or Davenport Access Track end of The Huts Walk, the track fol- lows the Cobungra Ditch Walk for 1.7km (see Cobungra Ditch Derrick Hut Track Notes). From the Ditch the track descends into Swindler’s Built as a day shelter for ski tourers by the Wangaratta Ski Club Creek and makes a gradual ‘steep’ accent up Golden Point Spur in 1967. This neat little timber hut is a memorial to Charles to Spargo’s Hut - this is the steepest section of the Huts Walk. Derrick a cross country skier who died in 1965 in a blizzard (Starting at the Alpine Crossing Trailhead is preferred by many whilst attempting to ski from Mt Bogong to Mt Hotham. walkers as it avoids the steep ascent up Golden Point Spur from Located on Dibbin’s (Swindler’s) Spur the hut is nestled in a Swindlers Creek) The rest of the walk traverses the relatively sheltered hollow surrounded by ancient Snow Gums. open and flat high plains. Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board The Huts Walk Be Prepared The best months for walking The Huts Walk are from November through to April, however, weather conditions can change rapidly, and snowfalls and blizzards can occur at any Grade of Walk: Grade 4, as per The Australian Walking time of the year. (Mt Hotham’s Bushwalking Season is from the Track Grading System November Melbourne Cup Weekend to mid May.) Distance: 15km between Alpine Crossing Trailhead/Loch Car park and Be prepared with: Davenport Access Track • Wind and waterproof jackets 18km circuit via Great Alpine Road • Warm clothing – hat, gloves, sunglasses, and strong footwear (including Silver Brumby and Derrick huts • Food and water detours) • First aid kit and sunscreen Time: Approximately 7 hours • Map and compass Gradient: Some steep grades • Check the weather forecast before departing Quality of Path: Mostly formed track, with some • Let someone know where you are going obstacles • Mobile phone (reception in some areas) Steps: Occasional steps Caution Experience required: Bushwalking experience and a Bushfires have damaged snow gums, which are now re- reasonable level of fitness generating but dead branches are shedding with the new growth. High wind days may result in falling limbs recommended and branches. It is not recommended to use the track on For more information on Mt Hotham’s Iconic Tracks & Trails, visit windy days. Please be aware that snakes are active during www.mthotham.com.au. For Resort track & trail conditions, warm months. email [email protected], or telephone 03 5759 3550 See also ‘Mt Hotham Track Notes - Bushwalker Code’ during business hours.

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