Kelly Hut #2
(at Holmes Plain, Licola)
Photo courtesy of the VHCHA.
Known as Kelly Hut (not to be confused with the other Kelly’s Hut at Marum Point, Bogong.)
Located north of Licola, Kelly's Hut on Holmes Plain, in the Alpine National Park
Brief History
Kelly’s Hut north of Licola was built in 1934. James (Jimmy) Kelly (1892-1954) was one of 17 siblings. His father, Pat Kelly had selected land and settled in Gippsland around 1872. Jimmy returned to the area as a soldier from WWI and took up a soldier settlement land offer.
The Kelly, Higgins and Holmes families were from Talbotville, where they bred horses for the Indian market. The Holmes brothers (Constantine and James) gave this locality its name, driving their cattle to this spot from their Eagle Vale run c1869-1913.
Their original hut, Holmes Hut, was near the current Kelly's Hut. In 1920 Jimmy Kelly was granted the lease of land where this hut was later built. The Holmes Hut nearby was in ruin by this stage, so Jimmy shared Higgins Hut with other cattlemen until it was destroyed in 1933.
In 1934 Jimmy had Connelly & Howlett build the current hut using rails from a slab fence near the hut, and other supplies that Jimmy Kelly and Kevin Higgins brought in by pack horse.
After the war Jimmy enjoyed the solitude of living here for most of the year with his cattle. “Jimmy” Vincent Kelly died in 1954, aged 61. He never married.
Kelly's Hut has had significant restoration works done over a number of years and was completed in December 2025.
Construction
Timber rails and corrugated iron.
Caretakers - Parks Victoria and the VHCA
References
Hueneke
G. Butler 1996
Magnussen
Stephenson
GPS Location: - 37.4120 146.75235
