Where the hills are twice as steep and twice as rough,
Where a horse’s hoofs strike firelight from the flint stones every stride…”
Craig’s Hut was built in 1982 as a set for the iconic Australian film, The Man from Snowy River, based on the classic poem by the Australian bush poet, A.B “Banjo” Patterson. The hut has now become one of the most famous in the Victorian High Country, offering spectacular views of the ranges.
Craig’s Hut is approximately a four-hour drive north-east from Melbourne, and is easiest to access via the Circuit Road – 19 kilometres of dirt road from Telephone Box Junction. As many alpine roads are closed over the winter, be sure to check on the Parks Victoria website for road closures and conditions.
If in a two-wheel drive vehicle, parking is available at the Day Visitor Area with a moderately steep trail of 1.2km up to the hut. For those with a four-wheel drive vehicle, there is a four-wheel drive track leading to the hut. However, the hiking trail up to the hut is well-worth the effort, rewarding walkers with stunning views and a spectacular diversity of alpine fauna and flora.
It is a lovely climb through slow-growing, subalpine woodland and low-growing shrubs up to the hut, where patches of burnt snow gum from the 2003 bushfires still remain. In the earlier warmer months, the wildflowers colour the sides of the walking track and there may even be a Flame Robin or two dancing between the shrubs.
Towards the end of the hike, the woodland opens out to a grassy knoll, and the trail leads around to a door on the north-eastern side of the hut. The grassy field is a perfect place to eat a packed lunch and enjoy the outstanding views across the Victorian Alpine region.
SUMMARY
• Stunning views over the Victorian High Country.
• Endemic alpine flora and fauna.
• Famous hut from iconic Australian film.
• Four-hour drive from Melbourne.
• Be wary of weather and road conditions.
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY
EASE OF ACCESSIBILITY
WILDLIFE
SCENERY
OVERALL
Banner image courtesy of Monique Winterhoff.
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