the new craigs hut

Submitted: Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 23:26
ThreadID: 53883 Views:3784 Replies:10 FollowUps:14
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I was up at craiges hut couple weeks ago you still are unable to get up there in 2wd we came across a late magna sedan about half way it was just before the last climb which was to rough and steep
there is a picture of the hut on my rig sight in photo gallery its not exact but very close
cheers reggy 2
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Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 23:38

Thursday, Jan 24, 2008 at 23:38
http://www.exploroz.com.au/Forum/Topic/53861/craigs_hut_official_opening_this_sunday.aspx?ky=&p=%2fForum%2fDefault.aspx%3fpn%3d1

plenty of photos of the new hut round in other threads too..

be good for the area. Magna doesnt suprise me. Was it white with a big chubby bloke in it?
AnswerID: 283649

Reply By: Member -Signman - Friday, Jan 25, 2008 at 10:28

Friday, Jan 25, 2008 at 10:28
G'day Reggie
There must have been more work since you were there.
On my rig page- pic taken last week...still a bit of builders refuse at the back- but structure looks finished.

AnswerID: 283693

Follow Up By: On Patrol (East Coast) - Friday, Jan 25, 2008 at 20:01

Friday, Jan 25, 2008 at 20:01
If you remember Signman, the bulldozer was in there last week while we were there, flattening the track out, so maybe its now possible to drive up there in a Goggoomoble?????
Colin.
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Follow Up By: Wayne (NSW) - Saturday, Jan 26, 2008 at 06:53

Saturday, Jan 26, 2008 at 06:53
Colin,

They might be doing the road work for the opening of the hut.

Wayne
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Reply By: Wayne (NSW) - Friday, Jan 25, 2008 at 11:17

Friday, Jan 25, 2008 at 11:17
reggy,

The track to Craig's hut has and will be 4WD only.

Wayne
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Reply By: Ken - Friday, Jan 25, 2008 at 16:38

Friday, Jan 25, 2008 at 16:38
4WD only, I don't think so. Was up there 2 weeks ago and the re-builder was there in a Falcon ute !. Not your tradie's hoon ute but the higher clearance version, Longreach I think they call them.

Just on Craig's Hut. All those grouching about the cost of the re-build take a deep breath and think of what that hut [and the films] has done for Mansfield.
The hut has become an icon 4WD tourist destination. It has never in my view been represented as a cattleman's hut except in the films. Nobody in their right mind would build a 'real hut' in such an exposed location; certainly not any of the cattlemen of the area.
Craig's is a result of years of 4WD club efforts and has undergone multiple changes since first constructed. For the films it only ever had 3 sides ! It owes its survival up until the recent fires to the 4WD movement and the fact that it isn't in the National Park. It is highly doubtful that Parks would have allowed it to remain in the NP. It is now so important to local tourism that approval to spend the $300k was given practically while the embers were still smoking. Sure it might buy a house in suburbia but think of its benefit to the local community.
There was a 'real' Clear Hills Hut many years ago, nestled in the saddle towards Monument Track. It was burn many years ago, long before the first film
References to Lovic's and Bluff Hut as the genuine article are also a bit off the beam. Sure they were built by very real cattlemen but the versions of these huts most people remember are the result of those families' tourism ventures and were far more sophisticated and considerably larger than the original structures built to help with working cattle up there.

Ken
AnswerID: 283756

Follow Up By: Jim from Best Off Road - Friday, Jan 25, 2008 at 20:07

Friday, Jan 25, 2008 at 20:07
Well,

If it is such a boon to the economy of Mansfield (and I question that), should it not have been paid for by the Mansfield Shire/City??



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Follow Up By: On Patrol (East Coast) - Friday, Jan 25, 2008 at 21:12

Friday, Jan 25, 2008 at 21:12
Jim,
Someone with the purse strings thought it worth it, and yes Mansfield does no harm from it as a re-supply point half way through the trip. There were a lot of touring 4WD's there last week along with myself and 3 others, and my guess is they mostly went to see Craigs Hut, as we did.

Michelle, our trip leader is like a lot of women that go to the H.C. she just had to go to Craigs Hut.

Question as you will Jim, Mansfield does well from H.C. touring and Craigs hut is a draw card to a lot of travellers, no denying.
Colin.
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Follow Up By: Snazzie - Friday, Feb 01, 2008 at 21:05

Friday, Feb 01, 2008 at 21:05
As a former local and one that returns every 2nd weekend and that means Craigs Hut too, NO it doesn't look exactly like the "original" built for the movie. Come to think of it neither did the second rebuild either. Things change and as this is now both a tourist destination and a refuge it should and does meet certain standards. Yes at the moment it does look like a brand new just completed hut but given time and weather its character will come into its own. Craig the builder should be highly commended on such an excellent job and don't forget the volunteers that assisted him. Also cheers to those involved in the consulative commitee made up of local tour operators, volunteer organisations and the inevitable government departments given that it sits within Parks Vic territory. A lot of time and planning went into ensuring they stayed as faithful as possible to the hut built as a movie prop.The original had no floor and was becoming a hazard before the first rebuild.Contrary to all you have heard of late in the media, Mr Burrows and the set builder were asked on several occasions to be involved with the current rebuild. I was at the opening on the 27th January and if you had been there too you would have been just as insulted as I with the comments made about the rebuild, the builder and the general public. Mr Dodson from the DPI was extremely graceful after having to stand through the indignant tirated of abuse put forward from Mr Burrows about "his original Cattlemans Hut". Well done to Craig the builder for sourcing as much aged items such as 100 year old glass for the windows. You have done a fantastic job. The volunteers - congratulations, Parks for getting the rebuild of a major tourist draw card for the Mansfield region.
I have been going to Craigs Hut at Clear Hills for some 20 years and personally think that things like a rear veranda that allows for many more people to get that must have picture is great. There is a chimney in place and the timber will weather. As for the roofing material, it was due in part to the "original" bark roof that it burnt in the 2006/2007 fires. If you had the opportunity to visit after the fires you could clearly see that nothing else in the immediate vicinty actually burnt!!!!!!!
As for the cost - so what - you still have a great place to visit. As for the track leading up - the cross drains will be graded back into the track to keep it precious for the 4wd fraternity. As for us horse riders we'll continue to use the narrow horse only tracks and take our time to enjoy the scenery at a pleasant pace.
This is a place to be enjoyed by all, just remember to all user groups - RESPECT OUR HIGH COUNTRY
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Follow Up By: John S (NSW) - Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 16:46

Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 16:46
Snazzie,

I second you on this. Craig did a fantastic job. The only people who should have a valid say in the finished hut are the people who were involved in the building of it.

Yes its new, yes its a bit different. But its a Historic Landmark. My kids don't remember what the old hut exactly looked like. But they sure do remember that its Craig's Hut.
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Follow Up By: Steve from Top End Explorer Tours - Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 16:50

Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 16:50
If someone gave me a $300000 grant I would do a good job too.LOL

Cheers Steve.
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Reply By: Ken - Friday, Jan 25, 2008 at 20:56

Friday, Jan 25, 2008 at 20:56
Question it all you like. If you don't recognise the benefits that flowed to Mansfield from the whole Snowy deal you obviously never went there before 1983. It isn't the snow that gets people there, 10 times more go in spring summer autumn that go for the snow. People winge that the gov't does nothing for the country yet you want to bag them for doing this. Have a look around mate !
Ken
AnswerID: 283795

Reply By: Bonz (Vic) - Friday, Jan 25, 2008 at 23:11

Friday, Jan 25, 2008 at 23:11
Great to see it back there, I know its a film prop but I love the place and was sad to hear its fate int eh fires, I hear Bluff Hut is rebuilt too anyone who can confirm that??
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AnswerID: 283814

Follow Up By: Wayne (NSW) - Saturday, Jan 26, 2008 at 06:51

Saturday, Jan 26, 2008 at 06:51
Bonz,

Before the fires



After the fires




January 2008




Wayne
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Reply By: KiwiAngler - Sunday, Jan 27, 2008 at 17:02

Sunday, Jan 27, 2008 at 17:02
I was at Bluff Hut yesterday (Sat 26th Jan 2008) and it now looks like this

[img]
[/img]


That is it looks like this through the FLIES - unbelivebale they were!!!!!
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Follow Up By: KiwiAngler - Sunday, Jan 27, 2008 at 17:18

Sunday, Jan 27, 2008 at 17:18
grrrrrrrrrr try again

[img]
[/img]
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Follow Up By: KiwiAngler - Sunday, Jan 27, 2008 at 17:23

Sunday, Jan 27, 2008 at 17:23
GRRRR!!!!

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Reply By: KiwiAngler - Sunday, Jan 27, 2008 at 17:44

Sunday, Jan 27, 2008 at 17:44
As to what does or what does not contribute to mansfields economy - if what I saw on Friday night is anything to go by then the 4 wheel drive community certainly contributes. If it is Craiges Hut or the Vic High Country in general I don't know but 4x4 is the theme

The main street at dinner time had more 4x4's in it than any other town I have seen

And Mansfield caters for them the restaurants were all full an all doing a brisk trade.

Wood fired pizza ....mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

I certainly contributed to mansfields econony :-))))
AnswerID: 283966

Reply By: Scubaroo - Saturday, Feb 02, 2008 at 21:41

Saturday, Feb 02, 2008 at 21:41
Dumb question - but how long does it take to get to Craigs Hut from Mansfield roughly? Have never been up to it ("them").
AnswerID: 285217

Follow Up By: Member - reggy 2 (VIC) - Saturday, Feb 02, 2008 at 22:32

Saturday, Feb 02, 2008 at 22:32
hi scubaroo
it would probably take about 1hr go up towards mt buller turn left at bottom sorry do not know name of road it takes you upto circuit rd turn left travel to you come to turn off not sure of k's turn off is left a map of mt stirling should bring it up
i could find some more info if you get stuck
reggy2
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Follow Up By: Scubaroo - Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 13:11

Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 13:11
Thanks - the "1 hour" is indicative enough. Have maps but wasn't sure of the time involved from Mansfield. Was wondering if it was a suitable daytrip from Melbourne to show some international visitors around.
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Follow Up By: Member - reggy 2 (VIC) - Monday, Feb 04, 2008 at 10:34

Monday, Feb 04, 2008 at 10:34
sorry turnoff is on bend and is to right not left coming from mansfeild
reggy2
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Reply By: Scubaroo - Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 13:16

Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 13:16
Article on the "controversy" of the new hut's appearance:

The Age article

Given the propensity for the hut to burn down, maybe the tin roof isn't such a bad thing, and it might actually last a bit longer!

Link includes a new and old profile comparison photo.
AnswerID: 285324

Follow Up By: Member - Lost Dog(WA) - Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 16:16

Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 at 16:16
I wonder how much Binns and Burrows put up for the rebuild.
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