Bushwalk Australia

Last Sunday/Monday we headed out for a family snowshoe trip to Gooandra Homestead. After a 5 or so hour drive via Tumut we parked the car about 6 km from Kiandra at the Gooandra Chain Bay. There were a few other cars parked there- some having a play in the snow nearby. The snow was a bit patchy so we started out carrying the snowshoes along the firetrail.

We spotted a herd of Brumbies having a munch and continued on over the bridge over the Eucumbene River. We passed a group who had been out on a daywalk- most in snowshoes a few not. The snow got a bit deeper so on they went- 3x MSR Evos and 1x Yowies.

On we trudged- the walk was only 5 km but took forever! The long drive didn't help and our youngest was getting over it so the toboggan turned into a nice sleigh to be dragged by Mum. Where were those brumbies when you needed them??? The day was ticking on and I was tempted to set up camp in the trees but the promise of a hut seemed like a nice incentive especially as I was carrying marshmallows for the fire
Finally we descended down to the hut- heaps of snow about. We quickly set about camp chores- tents up, water collection, firewood, dinner, dry clothes...

The hut was great and has been done up recently with a big back veranda and nice fireplace inside. It has a few rooms and a front undercover wet entrance
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It was my Big Sky Chinook 2's maiden voyage along with the trusty Snowgum Stormshelter (?). I made the big mistake of not bringing a fourth CCF pad and was chilly from the snow underneath despite my toasty sleeping bag. We slept on 2x exped synmat 7 and 2x neoairs. The Chinook suffered more condensation than the Snowgum- but both were fine and plenty of room.
Despite hanging our stockings out- Santa did not come Maybe he doesn't like damp socks....

Next morning we packed up camp, tidied up the hut and set off along the trail the same way we had come. Even though sleep wasnt the most forthcoming the hike out was much easier and the boys had a great time trying to find the perfect snow to make the perfect snowcone on the end of their hiking poles

We made it back to the car and into Tumut for lunch and then the long drive home.... I'm sure they had a great time in hindsight

Looks like a great trip!

Great trip Lizzy! Fantastic

Nice trip Lizzy, getting the family out and about is very special and an opportunity to test drive the new tent


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Wow!! Great. It is a terrific little walk into the hut. they have done a lot of work on it.

If you're ever up that way again I have some cabins just down the road. Gooandra Alpine Cabins. They are just off the highway on 150 acres. Just after you exit the park. They are on the northern side of the highway. ( there are other cabins you can see from the road on the southern side. )

Steve

I should have said they are perfect for young families. They sleep 5 in two rooms. All amenities provided.

K.

Can you not sleep in the hut?

Yes you could sleep in the hut. Like all huts they recommend them for emergency use only- probably because they would have to have emergency exits/ fire detectors etc if it was advertised as accomodation. Lots of these huts also have furry little companions. We wanted to camp anyway

Fair enough, I've never done any walking in an area where the huts are marked or common knowledge so the huts I do strike are open slather....and it's always an emergancy at bed time, my 8 hours is of upmost importance!! Ha!