Like this, the Miners’ Bathhouse, with still some machinery in there

And this used to be the foundation of something, I read it all on the signs but can’t remember now what it was exactly

I think this used to be the pub

Anyway, time to walk the track to Big River Hut, the first part of the track is just following the road for a bit, it should however be a proper 4WD road, which this road is not. I wonder if I’m on the right track?

Ah, I was wrong! This is where the track actually starts, a little further from the previous photo and indeed with a proper 4WD track, which I might drive the next time I’m here

The track itself is mostly under canopy cover, so all in shade and pretty wet since most of the track faces south

The track is well maintained and easy to follow

There’s some interesting stuff to see occasionally

But mostly it’s just following the orange markers

Which takes you through some cool places like this

And over bridges

Past waterfalls

More mining remnants and a Battery Site, I have no idea what that is supposed to be so I take the 5 minute detour to find out

This leads me to this little clearing, is thie the Battery Site?

I continue the track

I must be getting near the top of the track

Indeed, and finally I get to see some sky again, it’s not much further to the hut now

Me at the hut, glad I made it, I even booked this one as the DOC website said I should but there were only 2 others in the hut that sleeps 20 people so I won’t be booking again unless it looks like it’s going to be busy

View from the hut down to where the 4WD track ends, some hunters are camping there and having a BBQ and undoubtedly a beer or two

The Big River Hut catching the last sunrays of the day, a good day with lots of sun and a nice hike

A map of today’s hike, starting low at the bottom left and going to top right, the track was 13.5 km and took me 3 hours and 45 minutes including a short break