Blowhard Hut
Photograph: Olaf Moon 2004.
Known as Blowhard Hut or Mount Blowhard Hut.
Located Beside the sealed Great Alpine Road on the Harrietville approach to Mount Hotham.
From Harrietville, drive uphill towards Hotham and stop only at a safe formed parking area near the hut; it is roughly 6 km before the resort. The hut is beside the road, with only a short walk once safely parked. Snow, ice and chain requirements affect winter access. There is plenty of parking space off the road.
Brief History
Blowhard hut was originally built for tourism, by the Victorian Tourist Board. As time went by, skiing became a greater passion and it was converted for this use. Hotham’s history identifies an earlier building lost in the 1939 fires; the construction date of the present building remains to be verified.
The 2003 account records renovation and extension work and a locked building. Current access and use need confirmation; do not assume it is an available public refuge.
Construction
Built with corrugated iron walls and roof. The roof has a high gable and an unusually large skillion. Extended in the 1980s.
Caretaker Mount Hotham resort management (earlier record: Mt Hotham Trust Board)
References
Hueneke Pp101,232
Magnussen Pp22 - 23
Butler - no reference.
Mapping Guidance;
GPS: approximately 36.99046°S, 147.11287°E.
UTM Zone 55H: 510044 m E, 5906180 m N. Approximate VHCHA mapped hut position, treated as WGS84.