Rover Scout Lodge
Also Known as the Rover Scout Chalet
Located : The Bogong Rover Chalet, also called the Rover Scout Chalet or Lodge, was built in 1940. It stands on the Bogong High Plains near Cope Hut, rather than on Mount Bogong itself. Bill Waters’ contemporary account places it in the Middle Creek valley below Cope Hut.
History
The timeline is as follows:
1930 – Victorian Rover Commissioner W. F. “Bill” Waters tried skiing at Kandersteg in Switzerland and became keen to introduce Victorian Rovers to the sport.
1932 – Four Rovers made the first Rover ski crossing of the Bogong High Plains.
1933 – Organised winter parties began using Cope Hut, and the Bogong Rover Crew was established.
1933–1939 – Growing attendance meant winter parties used both Cope and Wallaces huts, creating a need for their own accommodation. bogongroverchalet.org.au
1938 – Fundraising began, including the sale of life memberships. A surviving membership certificate is held by Kew Historical Society. victoriancollections.net.au
1940 – Volunteers built the chalet during five weeks in February and March, at a cost of £700. It predates the development of Falls Creek village.
1953 – A new kitchen was added. Its heavy cast-iron stove was moved from Rocky Valley to the chalet on greased poles.
2000 – The kitchen was replaced again. Other improvements over the years included a ski room, electricity and improved waste treatment.
Today – The chalet continues its original purpose of introducing young people to the mountains, supporting skiing, bushwalking and environmental education. bogongroverchalet.org.au
Construction
GPS Location Latitude: −36.90407 Longitude: 147.30310
Profile updated 5 November 2026