Angelus Hut

Nelson Lakes National Park

speargrass track - robert ridge route

For more information on this trip, including an excellent safety video produced by the Mountain Safety Council, click here. Our Angelus Hut film is linked below!

Having recently ventured into Welcome Flat with the family, we were feeling the kids had progressed enough to take it up another notch…or 3.

Plan A was to tackle the infamous Pinchgut Track

…and take the most direct route to Angelus Hut. However, the weather had other ideas so we decided to play it safe and start our journey under the cover of bush via the Speargrass Hut track. Fair to say we all got a bit damp and cold so by the time we reached Speargrass Hut (4 hrs), we were ready to crank the fire and rest-up. Thankfully we’d allowed 3 days for this adventure! To continue on up the valley and link-up with South-Western flanks of Robert Ridge that afternoon would’ve been hazardous. Too wet, too cold and certainly way to exposed. Especially after a long & tough grind up the valley.

Although still a little moist, Day 2 was glorious! A scrambly, steady climb involving multiple creek crossings up the valley ensured the kids were absolutely peaking. The epic nature of the terrain and the herculean effort it took all those little legs to navigate some tricky terrain, really motivated the kids.

They felt like they were doing something extreme (which they really were) and spirits were high.

When we reached the junction of the Robert Ridge Track, we were cautiously optimistic we may soon get an elevated glimpse of the hut. Unfortunately thick fog prevented this and as we descended down towards Lake Angelus, some of us were beginning to wonder if the hut would actually appear! Soon enough, there it was…a ghostly but welcome sight. A warm fire, hot chocolate, whiskey & good times were beckoning.

The following 24 hours was pure bliss. A mix of exploration, dancing, games and endless laughs. Angelus Hut is situated in a basin and provides 360 degree views of the marvellous Lake Angelus and some stunning country. It’s a place where kids can explore and play, without losing sight of the hut. It was early November, so no full-time hut warden yet but there was plenty of firewood and enough water to service us and the dozen or so other visitors.

For the return leg, we had a decision to make….

take Robert Ridge or descend back down via Speargrass.

Although visibility was poor at first, the low hanging stratus fog wasn’t threatening and the few glimpses we got of the sky revealed cirrostratus & mare’s tails which gave us the confidence that we had a wee window of settled weather to tackle the ridge. Sure enough, the fog burnt off around midday and gifted us with the most spectacular journey home via Robert Ridge & the mighty Pinchgut Track.

If you’re taking kids, here’s some tips:

Make no mistake. This is a serious trip and a challenge for most adults. Your kids will need to be fit and resilient. The film below makes it look easy. It is not. Although our kids had the time of their lives, they had to work their butts off for it. Do your research, get local advice and be prepared.
Do it over 3 days! It’s a big ask of any kid, so pacing it out over 3 days makes it more achievable and enjoyable.
Check in with the St Arnaud DOC office, get the latest forecast and hit the track early - no later than 0900hrs.
A PLB is essential. There is no cell reception and with the changeable weather and alpine environment, it could leave you very exposed.
Consider ascending via Speargrass Track. Although it wasn’t our first preference, we now feel in hindsight that this was the best route for our kids. The stay at Speargrass Hut the first night was well-spaced and the climb from there - although involving many creek crossings - was not as arduous as ascending Robert Ridge via Punchgut Track.

Hiking to Angelus Hut with Kids // Nelson Lakes National Park