Parts of this text is courtesy of KHA:
Located at Eskdale Spur Walking Track, Eskdale Spur. Shown on the Bogong High Plains map at GR278359. Michell hut was destroyed by fire in January 2003, however was replaced in January 2005, via a heli-lift.
Should you intend to visit the Michell Refuge, please visit Parks Victoria to ascertain any restrictions.
History
The original hut was built by the Mt Bogong Club as a refuge for walkers and skiers in 1967 and named in memory of a pioneer skier, Howard Michell. The Permissive Occupancy was never finalised by the Lands Department, making its replacement problematic!
The original hut is famous because it was constructed from a commercial Myer garage, a design that offended many conservationists. It was burnt in the 2003 bush fires and replaced with a “magnificent” semi-pre-fab in 2005.
Originally, Michell hut was meant to be one of a number of huts to assist skiers along the “Classic Tour” from Mt Bogong to Mt Hotham. However, damage to the environment during its construction caused some outrage and other huts were never built.
A replacement for Summit Hut (destroyed deliberately by fire in October 1978) was proposed in stone, but so far, to no avail.
The new Michell hut was designed at the same time as the new Federation Hut by Tonique Bolt from Underwood and Bolt.
The Michell hut was then flown onto its current site in January 2005 and assembled there, in time for the coming winter season.
Construction
The original Michell hut was built using a Myer garage of 14 feet by 20 feet, with a small door and no windows. The fire place was built outside the hut and water collected in a drum. The hut was fully lined, with a wooden floor, and did not have the feel of an iron garage.
Historical photographs of the original Michell Refuge can be viewed by clicking here.
The new hut is built of pre-fab sawn timber frames overlaid with corrugated iron.