Bushwalk Australia

Overland Track Rangers and contractors are hard at work giving Narcissus hut, at the end of the Overland Track, a much needed revitalisation.

The team has worked through all types of weather imaginable, accomplishing a range of tasks.
They have reroofed the hut, constructed tent platforms, added a front verandah, renovated the bunk room and constructed new bunks using recycled timber. Floor sections have been lifted to assess the subfloor for rot and new tongue and groove boards have been used to patch the floor.

Work continues for the next fortnight with the team focusing their efforts on renovating the common room.

Funds raised by the Overland Track pass have made this work possible.

There are a couple of pics on their FaceBook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tasmania ... nref=story

Was just there in late Dec and thought it was pretty good. Good to know that they are making it even better.

I gather we can use the platforms but not the hut at this stage??

Nice!

Though I wish Parks would put up more photos rather than just 1-2. It's something people love to see. It'll increase engagement and keep people looking and talking.

Agreed, Bill.

Looks good, camping platforms are a must.

Do many people actually camp there?
I haven't seen anyone stopping there but maybe I have been there at the the wrong times?

While feature creep is contunually on my mind, this sounds like a reasonable job. A bigger focus on environmental protection than comfort.

It gets a fair amount of use, mainly the early AM ferry OT walkers and winter walkers,

Scottyk wrote:Do many people actually camp there?
I haven't seen anyone stopping there but maybe I have been there at the the wrong times?

We used it because we hated the vibe of that new giant mansion before it so we walked on,


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

icefest wrote:While feature creep is contunually on my mind, this sounds like a reasonable job. A bigger focus on environmental protection than comfort.

Me too. That focus has historically been the guiding principle of infrastructure works, especially those generated from within the park. I know the workers generally assume their role is protectionist, rather than promotional, as you'd expect, mostly a sincere care for the bush is a given.

Anyhow..the platforms are new (in the old footprints) (of course)- no, you don't have to camp on the platforms provided anywhere in the park. It just makes perfect sense to do so.

As I understand the hut is open to use by walkers at night (while the works continue).

Well done!, it's good to see some money filter back. The verandah will be more useable, lots of groups congregate there at times even if not staying.

Scottyk wrote:Do many people actually camp there?
I haven't seen anyone stopping there but maybe I have been there at the the wrong times?

We have often ended up camping at Narcissus on the way in or out, either using the boat or too tuckered out to push onto Echo Point. Or in one instance we knew a large group was on the way to Echo Point and there would be no tent space for us.

We stayed in the hut once and was reminded why we don't normally, the snoring was un-bearable.

Not fussed by the hut upgrade but the tent platforms sound good. Some of the tent sites are swamps when wet.

An overnight trip to Narcissus is a nice way to see some of the southern reserve if you don't have much time. Platforms are a big improvement (four newbies when I was there not too long ago)...and it's the first time I've camped next to a cement mixer...The hut could be used after 6pm but that may have changed in the recent weeks

From ABC

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-03/f ... ection=tas

Bushwalkers finishing the popular Overland Track bushwalk through central Tasmania will now have a more comfortable end to the trip after the restoration of a historic bush hut.

A 53-year-old hut near Lake St Clair in Tasmania's Central Highlands has been renovated to improve the experience for walkers as they finish the Overland Track.

Narcissus Hut is at the northern end of the lake, and provides shelter to walkers as they wait for the ferry ride to Cynthia Bay.

The 1963 hut was renovated over summer by the Parks and Wildlife Service.

New additions include a front verandah, bunk platforms, tables with bench seating and gas heating.

Outside the hut there are new camping platforms, picnic tables and stone steps that lead to the river.

Parks and Wildlife north-west region manager Nic Deka said Overland Track walking fees were used to fund the project.

"The hut and overall site needed an upgrade given its importance in forming the final impressions that walkers take away from their Overland Track experience," he said.

"With the recent installation of a departure point at Ronny Creek at Cradle [Mountain] and the similar completion point at Lake St Clair, this project, along with the Narcissus Hut renovation, has really lifted the overall walkers' experience."

Parks and Wildlife considered replacing it again, but settled on an upgrade to preserve its historical significance as the last remaining hut to be built by Tasmania's Scenery Preservation Board.

From the Mercury
http://www.themercury.com.au/lifestyle/ ... 7380950293

I've been doing a little digging on the history of this hut, and found some old copies of "Peaks and High Places" (Ian Boss-Walker). The 1950 edition has a pic of the original hut, with shingle sides and roof. It was burned down in the early 1960s. Boss-Walker's 3rd edition shows the replacement hut, with Ranger Wally Connell out front. The final pic shows the newly refurbished 2015 version.

Sorry the scanned black & whites are poor, but you get the idea. It's good to see some continuity alongside the changes,

cheers

Peter

Looking good. There'll be wheelchair ramps soon . . .

Does that mean the ferry will be upgraded soon to take wheelchairs too?