Photos
| Built | 1931 by Dick Schofield and Roy Rawson (possibly earlier by James Gavel) |
| Condition | ★★★★☆ (good; intact structure) |
| Location | Southern Nungar Plain, near Gang Gang Mountain and Bulgar Hill |
| Alternate Names | Gravel Hut, Gavells Hut |
| 1922 | Possible earlier hut built by James Gavel across the gully |
| 1931 | Current hut constructed by Schofield and Rawson for grazing |
| 2003 & 2020 | Survived major bushfires |
| Present | Maintained; accessible via Tantangara firetrail |
Gavels Hut is a historic grazing shelter located at the southern end of Nungar Plain in Kosciuszko National Park, nestled between Gang Gang Mountain and Bulgar Hill. While commonly believed to have been built in 1931 by Dick Schofield and Roy Rawson, some accounts—like that of Tom Taylor—suggest it may have been constructed as early as 1922 by James Gavel himself. Gavel had also built an earlier hut across the gully, made of corrugated iron with a flat roof, adding to the layered history of the site.
The hut was used primarily for summer grazing and later passed through several owners, including Arthur Yen and Greg Welch. It is built from timber with horizontal weatherboard cladding, a corrugated iron roof, and a timber floor. The chimney features a brick hearth and iron cladding at the top. Measuring approximately 6.5 by 4.5 metres, Gavels Hut is modest but well-preserved. There is no NPWS toilet on site, but water and firewood are available nearby.
Access is relatively easy, making it a great destination for families and walkers. It can be reached via the Boundary Road fire trail, about 13 km west of Adaminaby, or from the north through Circuits (Gulf), Schofields, and Brayshaws Huts. Despite its accessibility, Gavels Hut remains surprisingly under-visited, quietly preserving its place in the pastoral and recreational heritage of the Snowy Mountains.
Gavels Hut measures approximately 6.5m × 4.5m. It features horizontal weatherboard cladding, a timber floor, and an iron roof. The chimney includes a brick hearth with iron cladding at the top.
No NPWS toilet is present at the site. Water and firewood are available nearby.
INTERVIEW WITH DICK SCHOFIELD IN COOMA, NSW 27/5/1989 by Dean Turner 3
DS: My brother-in-law, Ray Rawson , and myself built the present hut and a chap named Hayden Pagram, he carted the timber and iron from the Badja sawmill in 1931. It was easier for Hayden to get the timber from out near where he lived out at Peak View.and go straight up from that side. We knew the Broadheads very well.
DS: Hayden took all the timber and iron up in a little 4 cylinder Chev truck and I went up with him... We started up this hill and he got on a green patch of grass and the truck started to skid, he couldn't get up. Anyway he put the brakes on and this locked up his wheels but that didn't stop us from skidding back. And right behind us was a flamin' great big tree and one of the pieces of timber that was sticking out the back, hit the tree and drove the timber straight up through the cabin of the truck and it went between me and him. If anyone had been sittin' in between us they'd have got killed as sure as eggs! I'll never forget that.
LEO RUSSELL - Interviewed by Klaus Hueneke, 15/2/1982 4
LR: Lionel Kennedy - oh my brother and Jack Bellman went there rabbiting in the winter when he used to work up there. They'd go back to rabbit after the sheep got finished at Gavels. Then they'd come back to Jack Bells down here at Rock Forest [once a week], and hear "At Mrs Hobbs" of a night time - her radio serial - I bet you've never heard of it.
Gavels Hut is maintained by volunteers and monitored by NPWS. It is a popular waypoint for walkers exploring the Tantangara corridor and nearby huts such as Circuits, Schofields, and Brayshaws.
Notes from 'Kosciuszko National Park Huts Conservation Strategy' October 20055