Bullocks Hut
Download & Print Map and Notes
30 mins
1.5 km Return
22 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.
(0km) Bullocks Flat carpark C → Int of Bullocks Walking and car park tracks
90 m
1 mins
1m
0m
Moderate track
From the western side of car park ‘C’[1] at Bullocks Flat Skitube station, this walk follows the ‘Bullocks Track’ sign[2] down the steps. At the bottom of the steps, the walk continues straight to follow the wide track into the bush[3]. The track soon bends right and comes to a signposted ‘T’ intersection[4].
(0.09km) Int of Bullocks Walking and car park tracks → Bullocks Loop bridge intersection
340 m
6 mins
0m
-15m
Moderate track
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Bullocks Hut 600m’ sign[5] gently downhill along the gravel path. The trail winds through the bush and soon passes between some large granite boulders[6], then after about 270m, the walk heads left at a ‘T’ intersection[7] with a management trail, and comes to an intersection just before signpost and timber bridge[8].
(0.43km) 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[9]. The grassy track bends left[10] and heads over a small rise, before bending right and following the wide gravel track (past the water monitoring station[11]). Soon the walk veers left to follow the ‘Bullocks Hut’ sign[12] along the paved footpath and under the rail bridge[13]. Just on the other side of the bridge, this walk comes to a signposted three-way intersection[14].
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.
(0.65km) 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[17], keeping the rail bridge to your right[18]. The walk heads up the hill and bends sharply right, finding the ‘Pedestrian Access…’ sign[19]. Here, the walk follows the footpath along the bridge and over Thredbo River[20]. On the other side of the bridge, the walk follows the posts and the ‘River Walk’ sign[21] right and under the bridge[22]. Just past the bridge, this walk follows the grassy track up to the right[23], passing around the edge of a small dam[24]. Soon after the dam, the walk turns left to head away from the trail line towards the grassy clearing[25]. The walk crosses a small creek[26], then finds the rusty steam engine[27] 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[28], chains[29], wheels[30] and a small dam[31]. 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. .
(0.65km) 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[34], 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[35] 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[36] 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[37], the last of which is Bullocks Hut[38].
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads directly away from the river, through the gap in the fence[36] 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[37], the last of which is Bullocks Hut[38].
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[40][41], tiled floors, a stainless steel food preparation area with sink[42], as well as a nearby toilet[43] and stables building[44]. 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.
Maps for the Bullocks 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 Bullocks Hut bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Bullocks 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 | 1.5 km | ||
| Time | 30 mins | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 3/6 Moderate track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6) |
| Quality of track | Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6) | ||
| 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
Around 500m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 250m is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
This whole walk, 750m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
This whole walk, 750m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 750m requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 750m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
This whole walk, 750m 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 Bullocks Hut walk starts and ends at the Bullocks Flat carpark C (gps: -36.441165, 148.44069)Your main transport option to Bullocks Flat carpark C is by;
Car. There is free parking available.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/bh
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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