Bushwalk Australia

Hi, my name is Georgie and I am new to this great site. We walked the complete OT last December, and want to go back this coming Anzac day long weekend to do some day trips around Cradle Valley. All the books say you can't camp in the day walking area, and Scott-Kilvert hut seems to be in that area, but from posts people do overnight there. Can you tell me please if we can stay overnight at S-K and if there any requirements other than normal park passes, etc. Many thanks, Georgie, Queensland.

Hi Georgie, anyone can stay at Scott-Kilvert hut or on the tent platforms outside and no there aren't any other requirements.

They [PWS or tourism services] never really give Scott-Kilvert any mention which is a good thing, makes it more private for the locals!

Anyone can stay there anytime they like (it is considered outside of the day walk area, even though it is 'before' Waterfall Valley, which is the official end of the day walk area).

However, it is often crowded during summer, and especially on the weekends. You should expect it to be a tad cramped on a long weekend.

Tent platforms?? Where?

sthughes wrote:Tent platforms?? Where?

i agree, pretty sure last time i was in there (a few years ago) it was just the hut and camping sites.

The hut is open and free (when you have a pass) no bunks just a large upstairs floor area ,there are tent sites but no platforms , unless they have put in recently which I doubt.
Fantastic area great Hut enjoy,the walk up to the OLT can be trying or easy weather dependant.
corvus

Hi Georgie!
We might see you there. Assume you are Fagus hunting???
Long way down from Queensland for the weekend!

Thanks for that everyone. I am desperate to see the fagus (of which I am one on this site, yeah ) in the autumn, and we can't go over Easter, so thought Friday to Monday of Anzac weekend would be fabulous. But, still looking for cheap flights! from Queensland.

Hi All,

I was at Scott Kilvert on the weekend and can confirm that there is now a tent platform on the right hand side as you approach the hut from Dove lake.

cflake wrote:Hi All,

I was at Scott Kilvert on the weekend and can confirm that there is now a tent platform on the right hand side as you approach the hut from Dove lake.

Was there only one platform there
corvus

cflake wrote:Hi All,

I was at Scott Kilvert on the weekend and can confirm that there is now a tent platform on the right hand side as you approach the hut from Dove lake.

Was is square, and approximately heli-pad sized?

Knew that just did not want to sound like a know all
corvus

Georgie wrote:Thanks for that everyone. I am desperate to see the fagus (of which I am one on this site, yeah ) in the autumn, and we can't go over Easter, so thought Friday to Monday of Anzac weekend would be fabulous.

Just to note that at that time (most likely) many others could have a similar cunning plan best to plan on the tent... The camping is reasonable, better in good weather.
The helipad is useable but i would plan on a quick exit, best left vacant... Could be cold by then, a few heat beads could help if the coal hasnt been resupplied.

We took heat beads and they were really good,Helipad has no guy captor points as far as I can rememember.
corvus

Son of a Beach wrote:

cflake wrote:Hi All,

I was at Scott Kilvert on the weekend and can confirm that there is now a tent platform on the right hand side as you approach the hut from Dove lake.

Was is square, and approximately heli-pad sized?

I'm no expert, but obviously you are. There was no "H" painted on the platform or signs saying it was for helicopters. I've attached a photo, draw your own conclusions.

corvus wrote:Knew that just did not want to sound like a know all
corvus

I thought that's what you were probably getting at. I didn't mean to sound like a know-it-all. Sorry about that. I was also hedging my bets, just in case they had built new platforms there, since last year.

cflake wrote:I'm no expert, but obviously you are. There was no "H" painted on the platform or signs saying it was for helicopters. I've attached a photo, draw your own conclusions.

Sorry, didn't mean to sounds like an *&%$#!. I think that is the helipad. In some places camping on the helipads is permitted, but you're generally expected to not leave your tent there during daylight hours (and to be prepared to pack up quickly if needs be). At least that's what the sign at the Frenchmans Cap helipad says, so I just assume its similar elsewhere, even though there's often no signs saying anything at all.

Yeah it's a bit silly they don't somehow indicate what is a helipad. I mean they are generally pretty similar to tent platforms, not too sure how are you supposed to know the difference unless you've been told?

Son of a Beach wrote:

corvus wrote:Knew that just did not want to sound like a know all
corvus

I thought that's what you were probably getting at. I didn't mean to sound like a know-it-all. Sorry about that. I was also hedging my bets, just in case they had built new platforms there, since last year.

Nik did not mean to imply that you were a k-i-a just did not want to come across as one myself
I suspect that tent platforms in that location will be well down on the priority list,for those who want to tent ,there are a couple of nice spots on the other side off the creek under the trees just south from the Hut.
BTW the easy way to pick a tent platform from a Helipad (other than a big H) is to look for the wires that parks provided for guy attachment.
corvus

Yer, they'll be the ones that have rocks all over them, nails hammered in by various users, bits of cord tied here and there and blood stains close to the guy wires

cflake wrote:

Son of a Beach wrote:

cflake wrote:Hi All,

I was at Scott Kilvert on the weekend and can confirm that there is now a tent platform on the right hand side as you approach the hut from Dove lake.

Was is square, and approximately heli-pad sized?

I'm no expert, but obviously you are. There was no "H" painted on the platform or signs saying it was for helicopters. I've attached a photo, draw your own conclusions.

cflake,
None of us are experts ,perhaps a wee bit more experienced and familiar with the area,you gave an honest up to date reply which is good as is what we need on a day to day basis ,who cares if you may be mistaken on a minor point it opened up the availability of camp sites and non H Helepads.
Keep walking and posting
corvus

Hmmmmm.... Walked to Scott Kilvert Hut and completed the Cradle Cirque last Autumn. Didn't notice any helipad or tent platforms then. Did note the need for earplugs in the hut though.....

A great walk! I do love Autumn and the fagus... If you only have an overnight spare it is a reasonably 'quiet' walk I did go after the rush - late March/early April and even late April into May is great if you don't mind a bit of chill.

Given that April/May only signifies the start of walking season in more northern states, Tasmania isfull of walking opportunities!