craigs hut

[blossom]

Hi folks
we are from Tassie and want to see some of the Alpine Nat. park but largely by driving and camping or a few hours walk to camp site. It's a lazy holiday this time. We were thinking of Craigs hut...does it get lots of people with 4wds and loud music? Is it worth doing this time of year? Any other recommendations for where to go?
thanks!

[surly 17]

Hi blossom , Craig's hut gets lots of 4wds it's still good nice views of mt cobbler which is worth a visit in its own right. Maybe mt buffalo would be good nice campground at lake cattani relaxing, lots of day walks and not to far from other parts of the alpine nat park.

[madmacca]

Craig's Hut is beautiful, but does get a lot 4WD visitors.

A better option might be Howitt Plains (via Licola). From there it is about 1.5 hours easy walk to the campsite at Vallejo Gantner hut at MacAlister Springs. Great views from there, and about 30 mins walk onto the start of the Crosscut Saw.

[gmac]

Depending on were you are travelling to and from there is always the huts on the Bogong High Plains (Falls Creek) , Cope Hut, Wallaces Hut both near the road. Also Pretty Valley Hut, Tawonga Huts along with Youngs and Edmondson Huts that could be done as walk in and out in a day or an overnighter.

A number of options for camping in the area.

[David M]

Can Craig's Hut be reached by a regular car?

[north-north-west]

Can Craig's Hut be reached by a regular car?

Not all the way up. I've taken a 2wd Hilux up there but it was touch and go. A standard sedan/wagon wouldn't do it.

[madmacca]

Can Craig's Hut be reached by a regular car?

You can take a 2WD along Circuit Rd to the Circuit Rd Picnic Area - it's then a 1.5 km walk in by foot. The road to Craig's Hut itself is quite steep in places and potentially slippery - 4WD only.

[eggs]

Just returned from the area.
Took a small 2WD to the top of the first rise towards Craigs Hut [about half way from Circuit Road]. Grazed the bottom a couple of times going in, but was fine coming out as I picked some better lines. They have large spoon drains constructed along the track for which high clearance would be handy.
I was not prepared to take it further as you have to be able to go up what you go down, and it was fairly steep descending from that hill. Just a short walk to the hut though.
No camping allowed at the hut now, but there are some camping spots along the road just down from there.

I would also recommend the road to Lake Cobbler which was steep in parts, but the 2WD handled it ok.
From there, the walk to Mt Cobbler is straight forward [about as 520m climb over 5km]. Met someone who had heard the track up was a bit overgrown - but it was fine for us, so probably it has been cleaned up a bit.
We camped near the top and it was a special place.

[scroggin]

EDIT - Sorry wrong thread

[neilmny]

No camping allowed at the hut now,

Hey eggs, just looking at the DSE Mansfield note on Craigs Hut and can't find anything about no camping.
Can you point me towards the correct info please.

Just spoke to DEPI and they say camping is OK and free. Just obey the fire rules etc.

[stansi]

Was there today, no signs about no camping. Maybe eggs meant in the hut?

[eggs]

Not sure where I saw this, but prior to getting there I had definitely heard no camping in / next to the hut.
When we were there a lot of school groups were walking the area. At least 2 groups were having tea on the lovely grassed area next to the hut.
Some of the group leaders had mentioned that Parks had moved groups away from the hut and down to 2 designated camping areas back a short distance along the road.
I am sure they are only a short distance away, but we didn't see them as we came and went along the walking track and not the road.
There was also a lovely grassed area with table about 500m back along the road in the saddle that could be used.

[neilmny]

No worries eggs, I thought you meant in the general area. I'm pretty sure your right about in the hut and around close to the hut.
I think I know that grassy spot your talking about, it's a great spot too.