Wallace Hut is a 1.5km walk (approximately 45 minute return) which is a wide, well-graded track. The start of this walk commences 7.5km past the Rocky Valley Dam on the Bogong High Plains Road. There is an information bay at the start of the walk and excellent parking.
Wallace’s Hut is thought to be the oldest hut in the Alpine National Park fortunately surviving both the 1939 and the 2003 bush fires. It was built in 1889 by three Wallace brothers, Arthur, William and Stewart when they brought a mob of cattle up to the mountains during the summer to rest their farms pastures near Kergunyah. The hut was built over six weeks from snowgum slabs and woollybutt roof shingles. Only basic tools were available to the brothers however they were excellent bush carpenters. The site was selected carefully, one which offered shelter from the weather and was close to firewood and fresh water.
The original roof shingles were covered by corrugated iron by the SEC (State Electricity Commission) after the Wallace’s lease expired in the 1930’s. It was also used on the walls as well as the chimney. The SEC utilised the hut for their survey team however when they had no further use for it they decided to retrieve the corrugated iron and so exposing the historic hut to the elements. Fortunately the Rover Scouts were able to raise the finances to purchase the corrugated iron back from the SEC and therefore retain the identity of the hut and its history.
Early bushwalkers and cross country skiers nicknamed the hut “Seldom Seen Inn” due to its remoteness and the fact that it was obscured by the snow gums. By 1988 the heritage of this hut was recognised by the National Trust when it was officially classified. In 2012 volunteers once again banded together, assisting Parks Victoria in restoring the hut some who used the same type of tools when it was first built. Due to its age, people are discouraged from sleeping in it other than in an emergency. Have a look inside to see the names of the cattlemen burnt into the tie-beams of the roof and at the back mantelpiece. A truly unique snapshot of Australian bush history. You will see some magnificent examples of old snow gums at the site that have also escaped the fires over time. Parks Victoria have a great site regarding the Wallace’s Huts history and is well worth the read via the following link http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/313161/22_2169.pdf
The starting co-ords will take you to the first of two signs, a short walk toward the “long drop” you will find the second (co-ords provided). Collate the relevant information from the signs to locate GZ which again is within the vicinity – use stealth:
S 36 5A.BCD
E147 1E.FGH
Enduring the elements:
The number of tools visible on the sign in the photograph = A
The days it took to drive the stock to reach the summer feed plus three = B
….Bogong High Plains between 18C9 and 1914
Handmade in 188D
High country grazing:
The number of men on horses plus one = E
Billy Kelly’s age when she first joined her dad on a trip with the cattle in the mountains minus eight = F
Grazing Memories – the first word of the third sentence (eg. if the word is "six", then the answer will be 6) = G
Type of cattle photographed = H (options: Angus = 8 / Hereford = 4 / Murray Grey = 0)
As previously indicated there are toilet facilities available as well as a picnic table. We recommend that you time your visit to enjoy some lunch whilst soaking up the ambience. Take a camera to capture the history and the beauty of this area.
