Forest
DESCRIPTION
Location Known
The Forest Hut was originally built in 1890 as the Blue Bell Hut, but was rebuilt and took on the name Forest Hut.
HISTORY
An 1895 Sydney newspaper report writes: “After having a little rest, we went on, and came to the Bluebell Hut, now called the Forest Hut. This one is the largest and best. It is very nicely fitted up inside. There is a long winding stair made out of ferns to the hut. There is a nice verandah, and also a swing; and they have laid out a garden of ferns, and they are just building a summerhouse. They are going to make a tennis court also.” A group of Melbourne footballers was recorded as visiting in 1896.
The hut was burned down in 1900 due to a chimney fire, with members present and narrowly escaping injury. It was later rebuilt.
A sign board was added, reading “Little Grey Home in the West” from a poem by D. Eardley-Wilmot:
When the golden sun sinks in the hills,
And the toil of a long day is o’er
Though the road may be long, in the lilt of a song
I forget I was weary before.
Far ahead, where the blue shadows fall
I shall come to contentment and rest;
And the toils of the day will be all charmed away
In my little grey home of the west.
There are hands that will welcome me in
There are lips I am burning to kiss
There are two eyes that shine just because they are mine,
And a thousand things other men miss
It’s a corner of heaven itself
Though it’s only a tumble-down nest,
But with love brooding there, why, no place can compare
With my little grey home in the west.
HERITAGE VALUES
Historic and Scientific (McConnell)
HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE
McConnell assessed Forest hut as having Medium-High Local significance, Some State significance individually and as part of the mountain hut suite, and Some National significance.
Status Remnants
SOURCES
The Huts of kunanyi/Mount Wellington - Maria Grist
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