Teddys Hut
Photograph courtesy of Di Thomson.
Known as Teddys Hut, Teddies Hut, McGuffickes Hut and My Horse Hut. This is one of seven Kosciuszko NP huts to have a book written about it, by Mathew Higgins.
Teddies is located about 10 km up the Big Boggy River from Dead Horse Gap and at Grid Reference 201561 on the Thredbo 1:50,000 map. There are two ways to get there, firstly by a long walk up the Big Boggy (mostly on horse pads), or only 5km, straight up the spur behind the Thredbo village turnoff, to an alpine plain, then over two hills (on a compass or GPS bearing) to the hut. It takes about 2.5 hours by this way, and the scrub is moderate, but largely cleared by the 2003 fires. Good navigation is essential by this route.
Brief History
The hut was built in December 1948 by Noel Pendergast, Dave Pendergast and Ted McGufficke for grazing and brumby running. The corrugated iron was "found" in the bush, apparently dropped from a load for another job.
The brumby trap nearby was built in 1930 and 1931 by Kerry Pearce and rebuilt in 1960. It remains visible, just, in the small clearing immediately above the hut.
In 2005, NPWS staff rebuilt one wall and shored up the fireplace to make this hut more weatherproof. This is particularly welcome.
This hut is one of four in the Park, that have a complete book written about them. The Teddys Book is written by Matthew Higgins.
Construction
This hut now stands strongly and is about 2.8m by 4m.
The walls were originally slabs, lined with an old tent that had previously been used by the stockmen. Some of these have been replaced. The floor was dirt and the chimney of stone. The shelter has remained with an iron roof.
Caretakers - None.
References
“Teddys Hut” by Matthew Higgins.
The KHA Reference is 2708 and
the KNP POM schedule is L.118.
GPS: S 36.531300 E 148.343921
Heritage Value - Teddys has been variously classified as a standing ruin, or hut. Today, NPWS view it as a standing ruin but it has been restored and is in very good order.