Photographing Craigs Hut
About Craigs Hut
Craigs Hut appears to be an iconic bushman's hut built by the drovers and cattleman that let their cattle roam the high country, and built simple accomodation for themselves out of simple materials. In fact, this hut was built for a film, burnt down, and then re-built. That 'true history' does not discount that this hut is typical of the others, and set in a beautiful spot. It is quite photogenic and a nice place to camp or have a picnic too.
Viewpoints
Any photo that contains both the hut and the mountains it overlooks is good. The time of day changes the landscape colours considerably, as does the time of year, the amount of rain, and of course snow. I personally prefer this location with some snow on it.
How I photographed Craigs Hut
What I took - what was in my kit
I took my LowePro Backpack loaded with Canon 5DSR body, Canon 24 mm TS, Canon 16-35mm, Manfrotto 190 Tripod, and of course a range of lens wipes, spare batteries, sunscreen and bug repellant. I basically was only interested in shooting a panorama style photo (Its width 3 times its height). Such photos need high resolution.
Techniques
Photo stitching.
As with many wide scenes (panoramas), you have a choice of a specialised panoramic camera like the Linhof, severely cropping a single image, or stitching several images together. I used multiple Canon 5d images stitched together.
Other things to look out for
Craigs Hut is at the eastern edge of the Victorian High Country. From here, there is camping, waterfalls, rivers, river crossings, lookouts, mountain views, alpine huts, horse back riding, shooting, fishing, cross country skiing, etc.... The issue is really what is your interest and how long do you have.
Location
Craigs Hut Clear Hills Track, Mount Buller, Victoria (-37.10832776069138, 146.5328326204486)
Techniques used
Kit used
How to get there
The only way I know to get there is by car, driving up to near Mount Buller (on tarmac), then to Telephone Box Junction and then taking the Circuit Road through to the start of the Clear Hills Track. The Circuit Road is dirt, but I have driven it a couple of times in 2 wheel drive cars. The Clear Hills Track is narrow, steep, rocky and windy. I have seen council 2 wheel drive utes use it though, so it is certainly not impossible for a 2 wheel drive car. Each time I have been there, it has been in a 4WD car, but only using 2WD. The 4WD had improved ground clearance though, and this was handly. If you are not used to bush track driving, I would not recommend this as your first outing for bush 2 wheel driving. Most 4WD drive cars, with their higher clearance, would have no issues with the Clear Hills track. Your passengers might have an issue though, as it is rough and has steep drop offs. This is not far from Melbourne though, and the road / track provides just enough 'bush' driving to provide some excitment without much real risk.
There is another track into Craigs Hut - over Mt Stirling - this is the Monument track which also comes off Circuit Road, but about 200m East of Bindaree Road intersection. I have not tried this. I beleive that it is more of a 4WD drive track than Clear Hills.
Best time to visit
The roads to the hut are closed when snow is expected (June to November). Craig's Hut is on the side of Mount Stirling, which is a cross country skiing location (in winter only). During summer though, while the hut is easily accessable, the grasses have often died off and the trees begin to suffer. Spring and Autumn are therefore the best times of year. Late Autumn is my favourite, as at this time of year you can still get a dump of snow to have around the hut, but they have yet to close the roads.
Sunset is my favourite time to photograph the Hut. It gives indirect light to the hut, but you can also get interesting skies.
Accessability
Once you get to the car park near the hut, there are a couple of steps, but the rest is wide open well maintained paths. The hut itself is on a 'rise' (i.e. a slight hill) - but it is basically wide open land that anyone should be able to move around. There are also picnic tables and toilets near the car park. As mentioned, this is a place to take families, visitors and children and to have picnics. I am not sure about BBQ facilities. I have my own, but I dont recall seeing any. There is a camp site about 100m away down the hill.
Where to stay
There is a quite large camp ground near the hut and toilets are provided between the campsite and the hut.
There are also many other campgrounds within a few miles of the hut. This is a pretty popular camping and fishing area.
The nearest town of any size is Mansfield. This town has several accomodation options, and I have stayed at the Caravan Park there. (I slept in my tent). I can recommend the pubs there for dinner, and the bakery for baked goods and breakfast / lunch.