CRAIG’S HUT & MT STIRLING ACCESS

To get to Craig’s Hut and Mt Stirling cross country ski area, drive just over 30km from Mansfield on Mt Buller Rd and turn left onto Mt Stirling Rd (gravel), just after the Mt Buller entry station at Mirimbah. After 9km you arrive at Telephone Box Junction, at the day visitor centre for Mt Stirling, (open Winter ski season only) which includes a cafe, hire outlet and cross country ski school. In Winter, 2WD vehicles travelling to this point must carry snow chains. This is where the road closes and parking is available. When the road is open, this point is the start of the 47km Circuit Rd, which starts and returns here. If starting on the left side road at the junction, all 2WD and also 4WD vehicles that don’t have high ground clearance need to park 18km along the Circuit Rd at a picnic area where the walking track (1.7km one way) takes you to Craig’s Hut.

1km further along the road is the turn off to Craig’s Hut via the Clear Hills Track. This is only a 2km track up to the hut but has several large humps to negotiate that are in place for assisting water runoff and is steep and narrow in parts. It’s always hard to know what ground clearance is suitable for certain tracks and if unsure, it’s best not to take the risk. We’ve driven a Subaru XV (22cm/220mm clearance) up this track and taking it slowly, had about 5cm clearance on the most severe humps.  Keeping in mind that depending on the season and subsequent weather conditions the size and shape of these humps may be different.

These roads are closed beyond Telephone Box Junction from June to November, sometimes later, depending on snow and Mt Stirling summit road closures are generally from 1 May to 30 November. Contact 03 5777 6077 for details.

High Country Scenic Tours can take you up to Craig’s Hut and various other alpine areas in comfort and safety if you don’t have a vehicle with off road capabilities or you would prefer not to drive yourself.