Lankey Plain Hut
Photo courtesy of Fiona Magnussen © 2003
Known as Gow Hut or Lankey Plain Hut.
Located about 200 m east of Dargo High Plains Road, near the King Spur Track junction. From Dargo, drive north on Dargo High Plains Road for approximately 52 km to King Spur Track. The lower road is sealed, with gravel on the higher sections; 2WD access is possible in good dry conditions, but corrugations, potholes, snow or wet weather may require a high-clearance 4WD.
Park safely off the main road at the hut turn-off, leaving the junction clear, and walk approximately 200 m one way along the hut spur, keeping left through the clearing. A suitable 4WD may reach the clearing when access is open. King Spur Track has seasonal gate controls, and Dargo High Plains Road also closes seasonally.
History
VHCHA identifies the present hut as a Country Roads Board shelter built in the 1960s for crews resurfacing Dargo Road. This differs from the earlier attribution to the Treasure family around 1951; that date relates to the transfer of the grazing lease from the Gow family. The precise construction year remains uncertain.
Winter damage in 2016 left the hut leaning and its chimney destroyed. VHCHA volunteers stabilised it; in 2017 they removed chimney rubble and temporarily repaired the end wall. The 2003 photograph predates those changes.
Construction
An unlined sawn-hardwood frame with cement-sheet cladding, a low gabled iron roof and butted hardwood floor. The earlier description recorded a Lux slow-burning stove; the subsequent chimney damage and repairs are noted above.
Caretakers - none known.
References
Hueneke, pp. 108, 239.
Magnussen, pp. 176–177.
Mapping Guide
GPS: 37.111355°S, 147.168213°E.
UTM Zone 55H: 514945 mE, 5892761 mN. Approximate mapped hut position from ExplorOz Place 194271; source datum unstated, treated as WGS84.