Bullock’s track – via Bullock’s Hut
Download & Print Map and Notes
2 hrs
5.2 km Circuit
110 m
Moderate track
Covered in snow part of the year
This walk leads through an extreme alpine environment and all walkers must be well prepared. During summer, be prepared for both very hot and cold weather, high winds, rain, snow, extreme UV levels and some sections of snow or ice on the ground. Before starting this walk, check advice with Snowy Region Visitor Information Centre (02) 6450 5600, the weather forecast and the snow conditions then change your plans as needed. These notes, grades and walking times have been written for use in the summer months only. Between May and the end of October, this walk is likely to be covered in snow/ice, visitors should be carrying and be prepared to use snowshoes or cross country skis. When there is a chance of significant snow on the ground, visitors will need particularly strong navigation and snowcraft skills – tracks and signage may not be visible. For most visitors, it is best to consider this walk closed during the colder months.
Thredbo Diggings Camping area
This is a pleasant free campsite in the Thredbo River valley beside the river. It is a popular spot for fishing and exploring the area. The Diggings Bullocks Track is also accessible from here. The campsites are not marked out but there are non-flushing toilets, picnic tables and metal fire BBQ’s. No drinking water is provided, treat water from Thredbo River before use. The campsite signpost is about 1.9km west of the SkiTube along Alpine Way.
(0km) Thredbo Diggings Bullocks trackhead → Int of Bullocks Walking and car park tracks
2 km
34 mins
31m
-30m
Moderate track
From the Bullocks Trackhead (just south of Thredbo Diggings, about 430m from the Alpine Way), this walk follows the metal ‘Bullocks Track’ sign[1] down the steps (or ramp[2]) and along the gravel path to cross an open grassy flat. These open grassy areas are frost hollows and part of Muzzlewood Flats. The gravel soon gives way to a rock, then metal, path[4] that leads over a metal arched bridge[5]. The path then leads uphill[6] and after about 300m, the walk follows the grassy track along the edge of a clearing[7], then follows another section of winding path[8]. The path is then broken again with a section of grassy track before coming to gravel path again. This path leads downhill and soon bends sharply to the right, before passing through an even sharper left-hand bend[9]. The path gives way to a grassy track[10] a few more times and the walk winds gently down through the open bushland, passing a few granite boulders[11]. The path then leads over a small rise, winding through some larger granite boulders, where the track leads down the hill to a three-way intersection[12] and a ‘Thredbo Diggings 2km’ sign[13] pointing back up the track.
This section of the walk follows a track shared with walkers and mountain bike riders.
(1.97km) Int of Bullocks Walking and car park tracks → Bullocks Loop bridge intersection
340 m
6 mins
0m
-15m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Bullocks Hut 600m’ sign[14] gently downhill along the gravel path. The trail winds through the bush and soon passes between some large granite boulders[15], then after about 270m, the walk heads left at a ‘T’ intersection[16] with a management trail, and comes to an intersection just before signpost and timber bridge[17].
(2.31km) Bullocks Loop bridge intersection → SE corner of Skitube bridge
220 m
4 mins
1m
-5m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Bullocks Hut 300m’ sign across the bridge[18]. The grassy track bends left[19] and heads over a small rise, before bending right and following the wide gravel track (past the water monitoring station[20]). Soon the walk veers left to follow the ‘Bullocks Hut’ sign[21] along the paved footpath and under the rail bridge[22]. Just on the other side of the bridge, this walk comes to a signposted three-way intersection[23].
Skitube – Alpine Railway
The Skitube is an electric rack railway which provides access between Bullocks Flat, Perisher and Blue Cow ski fields. The journey starts across the bridge over Thredbo River, then covers a distance of 8.5km, of which 6.3km is underground in the Bilston and Blue Cow tunnels.
Construction of the railway began in 1984, and the complete line was officially opened in 1988. There are 11 passenger cars in total, of which 4 are motor cars – each with four 301 kW traction motors, making them the most powerful rack railway vehicles in the world. The braking system is mixed regenerative and rheostatic.
Prices are around $48 for an adult return fare. Schedules vary throughout the year. More info.
(2.53km) SE corner of Skitube bridge → Steam Engine
310 m
6 mins
7m
-3m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads uphill, away from the river and face of the ‘River Walk’ sign[26], keeping the rail bridge to your right[27]. The walk heads up the hill and bends sharply right, finding the ‘Pedestrian Access…’ sign[28]. Here, the walk follows the footpath along the bridge and over Thredbo River[29]. On the other side of the bridge, the walk follows the posts and the ‘River Walk’ sign[30] right and under the bridge[31]. Just past the bridge, this walk follows the grassy track up to the right[32], passing around the edge of a small dam[33]. Soon after the dam, the walk turns left to head away from the trail line towards the grassy clearing[34]. The walk crosses a small creek[35], then finds the rusty steam engine[36] and a few other scattered historic items. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.
Steam Engine
On the northern side of the Thredbo River at Bullocks Flat is a large, open area, still home to some historic items. Here you will find a rusty portable steam engine[37], chains[38], wheels[39] and a small dam[40]. These items are left over from the late 1910’s when Ned Irwin established and operated a sawmill here. He would process the Alpine Ash trees that had been cut from the surrounding hills. There was another mill operating at the nerby Sawpit Creek since the mid to late 1800’s. During the 1850’s some gold mining was also undertaken at this site, but it proved not a very popular site. .
(2.53km) SE corner of Skitube bridge → Bullocks Hut
100 m
1 mins
0m
0m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Bullocks Hut’ sign[43], keeping the river to your left and passing over a metal grate. The track almost immediately comes to another three-way intersection with a timber post[44] and opening in the fence (on your right).
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads directly away from the river, through the gap in the fence[45] to the large grassy clearing. The walk heads left through the clearing (passing the toilet, on your right) to come to a series of buildings[46], the last of which is Bullocks Hut[47].
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads directly away from the river, through the gap in the fence[45] to the large grassy clearing. The walk heads left through the clearing (passing the toilet, on your right) to come to a series of buildings[46], the last of which is Bullocks Hut[47].
Bullocks Hut
Bullocks Hut is a cement block house, built in 1934 as a fishing lodge for Dr Bullock. Extra buildings were added to the substantial house over the following decades. The hut has been managed by NPWS since 1969, and was fully renovated when the nearby Skitube was built in the early 90s. Bullocks Hut has bunk beds[49][50], tiled floors, a stainless steel food preparation area with sink[51], as well as a nearby toilet[52] and stables building[53]. A popular spot for day visits. The hut and grounds are available for hire for events such as wedding, please respect the space of other people using this site. More info.
(2.63km) Bullocks Hut → Bullocks Loop bridge intersection
410 m
7 mins
6m
-1m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the front of the main hut[54], this walk follows the short, concrete path[55] towards the confluence of Little Thredbo and Thredbo Rivers[56]. Near the rivers, the track turns sharply left to follow the Thredbo River upstream[57], just on the other side of the fence from the Bullocks Hut[58]. This track soon leads to a signposted three-way intersection at the other end of the Bullocks Hut yard[59] (with a gap in the fence to your left).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Skitube’ sign[60] along the track, keeping the river to your right. The track leads over a metal grate[61] and almost immediately comes to a signposted three-way intersection, just before the bridge[62].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Skitube Carpark’ sign under the bridge[63], whilst keeping the river to your right. The walk follows the paved footpath uphill[64], passing a ‘Bullocks Hut’ sign[65] (facing the other way) and continuing straight along the wide gravel path[66]. This path soon narrows and bends left (at the water monitoring station[67]) and leads over the grass and across a timber bridge[68]. On the other side of the bridge, this walk comes to a three-way intersection[69] where there is a ‘Bullocks Hut 300m’ sign pointing back over the bridge[70].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Skitube’ sign[60] along the track, keeping the river to your right. The track leads over a metal grate[61] and almost immediately comes to a signposted three-way intersection, just before the bridge[62].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Skitube Carpark’ sign under the bridge[63], whilst keeping the river to your right. The walk follows the paved footpath uphill[64], passing a ‘Bullocks Hut’ sign[65] (facing the other way) and continuing straight along the wide gravel path[66]. This path soon narrows and bends left (at the water monitoring station[67]) and leads over the grass and across a timber bridge[68]. On the other side of the bridge, this walk comes to a three-way intersection[69] where there is a ‘Bullocks Hut 300m’ sign pointing back over the bridge[70].
(3.04km) Bullocks Loop bridge intersection → Thredbo River rocks
1.4 km
28 mins
53m
-50m
Moderate track
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Thredbo Diggings 1.8km’ sign[71] along the grassy track, initially keeping the creek to your right. The track soon bends left and leads through the snow gum forest[72] and past a scattering of granite boulders[73], enjoying the occasional view down to the Thredbo River[74]. About 700m from the bridge, the track leads down some steps and across a narrow gully[75] before climbing back up the other side. The trail winds over the rise, winding through more small granite boulders[76] and leading down closer to the river[77]. Soon after crossing a metal grate[78], the track comes close beside the river and to a series of boulders[79], a great spot to rest and enjoy the river.
(4.4km) Thredbo River rocks → Bull Creek bridge
480 m
9 mins
9m
-7m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the river bank[80], this walk follows the clear track west, upstream, initially heading directly away from the river[81]. The track winds through the forest for a while[82], passing a couple of informal tracks (which lead to riverside areas) and soon heads down just a few steps to come to a lovely grassy clearing on the bank of the river[83]. From here, the track heads up the few steps[84] and continues along the track for about 90m, to a smaller clearing just before Bull Creek bridge[85].
(4.88km) Bull Creek bridge → Lower Thredbo Diggings
160 m
3 mins
2m
0m
Moderate track
Turn left: From the small clearing, this walk crosses the the Bull Creek bridge[86] and follows the track as it bends left to leave the Thredbo River and heads up through the button grass plain[87]. The track soon leads to an intersection at the bottom of a turning circle[88] (at the northern end of Thredbo Diggings), marked with a ‘Bullocks Track’ sign[89] pointing back along the track.
(5.04km) Lower Thredbo Diggings → Thredbo Diggings Bullocks trackhead
190 m
4 mins
8m
0m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads uphill along the dirt road[90] leading through the campsites. The road soon leads past a toilet[91] (on your left) then straight past an intersection[92] (with a dirt road and sign on your right). About 80m further up the road, this walk comes to a small car park and the signposted ‘Bullocks Track’[93], on your left. This is just south of Thredbo Diggings, about 430m from the Alpine Way.
Maps for the Bullock’s track – via Bullock’s Hut walk
You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.
| Perisher Valley | 1:25 000 Map Series | 85252S PERISHER VALLEY | NSW-85252S |
| Chimneys Ridge | 1:25 000 Map Series | 85241N CHIMNEYS RIDGE | NSW-85241N |
| Kosciuszko | 1:100 000 Map Series | 8525 KOSCIUSZKO | 8525 |
| Jacobs River | 1:100 000 Map Series | 8524 JACOBS RIVER | 8524 |
Cross sectional view of the Bullock’s track – via Bullock’s Hut bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Bullock’s track – via Bullock’s Hut
Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
| Length | 5.2 km | ||
| Time | 2 hrs | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 3/6 Moderate track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Short steep hills (3/6) |
| Quality of track | Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6) | ||
| Signs | Clearly signposted (1/6) | ||
| Experience Required | No experience required (1/6) | ||
| Weather | Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6) | ||
| Infrastructure | Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
3.2km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 1.4km has short steep hills. The remaining (690m) is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
3.7km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 1.4km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (190m) follows a smooth and hardened path.
Signs
This whole walk, 5km is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 5km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 5km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
This whole walk, 5km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Bullock’s track – via Bullock’s Hut walk starts and ends at the Thredbo Diggings Bullocks trackhead (gps: -36.447772, 148.42542)Your main transport option to Thredbo Diggings Bullocks trackhead is by;
Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/bc
Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)
Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂
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