Cragg's Hut Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Cragg's Hut is the second cache in a series prefixed with "Cragg's"
in this area. All but one cache "Cragg's Island" can be accessed
via the track you are travelling on to collect this cache.
Though contemporarily known as "Katarapko" the adjacent Creek and
Island were at a previous time known as "Cragg's" or "Cragie's"
Creek and Island after the first European residents to built a
permanent abode along its course; John and Margaret Cragie together
with there 5 children who built a limestone hut nearby in the early
1850's (see Cragg's Hut cache).
This cache represents the main reason for this series of caches,
though the beauty and scenic nature of the area led to several
other caches being planted following the one originally planned at
Cragg's Hut.
The Cragie story is a tragic one in a time when tragic stories and
events seem to of been common place in Australia. John and Margaret
Cragie along with their 5 children were the first permanent
residents along the Creek in the early 1850's. They constructed a
limestone hut quarried from local stone while grazing stock on the
mainland and the Island. In 1852, like so many others searching for
a fortune, John Cragie left his wife and 5 kids and headed for the
Victorian Goldfields to strike it rich. It was a journey that he
never returned from, losing his life on the Goldfields in that same
year.
Margaret Cragie proceeded to obtain the pastoral lease for the area
where they resided and was granted such in July 1853. During this
period the hut and therefore the land and creek surrounding it
became known as "Cragie's" or more commonly "Cragg's" after
Margaret and her family. In 1856 on the 9th day of April tragedy
was again to strike Cragg's Hut. Margaret Cragie at the age of just
35 years old was struck down by what is only described as a "fever"
and passed away. In the space of 4 short years five children had
lost first their father, then their mother whilst living at Cragg's
Hut.
A grave site is located a short walk from where the ruins of the
limestone hut are located. In another tragic twist it is unknown
who or how many of the family is buried at this location. There is
(are) no headstone(s) nor any records recording such details, the
site of the grave is marked by four buried posts.
The walk to the grave site is sign posted for those wanting to
visit, the track then continues through some mallee country before
returning to the car park. The walk from the Hut ruins to the car
park via the Grave site takes about 30 minutes, alternatively you
can walk from the Hut ruins to the Grave site, then back to the Hut
ruins in about 15 minutes.
The cache is located a short distance from the Hut ruins, it is a
small rectangular container containing a log book, pencil, stash
note and some small items for trade. Access to this site is via a
good gravel road suitable for vehicles year round except in extreme
weather conditions when the park gates would be closed.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
jung'f haqre gung ebpx!!