Scotts Hut

Download & Print Map and Notes

1 hr 15 mins

3.6 km Return

6 m

Easy track

The track to the historic Scotts Hut is a great walk along the shores of Wallagoot Lake and Scotts Bay. The walk is well signposted as it leads into the open grass area of Scotts Hut picnic area. The hut itself is well worth an explore and a peek through the windows of this once pioneer home.

Track through the heath to Scotts Hut picnic area

Hobart Beach campground

This is a well-established campsite close to the beach and lake. There are garbage and recycling bins. Each camping space is well-defined and there is a large covered common area. The camp surrounds the stone and timber toilet and laundry facility.

(0km) Hobart Beach large shelter → Int. Hobart Lagoon and Hobart Campground Trks

410 m

6 mins

-1m Easy track

From the sign post at the large shelter, the walk follows the dirt road, leaving the shelter behind on the left. The walk follows the road for a short distance to come to a large, green roofed, wooden building, the toilet block.
Continue straight: From the toilet block, this walk heads west along the dirt road further into the campground. At the 'Sites 36-54'[1] the walk turns right following the 'one way'[2] arrow towards the lake. As the road bends left, follow the track down the hill to the lake to soon come to a three way intersection next to Wallagoot Lake. Here there is a sign pointing back to 'Hobart Beach Camping Area'[3].

Wallagoot Lake (Lagoon)

Wallagoot Lake, Bournda National Park, is located between Tathra and Merimbula on the Sapphire Coast Drive. Wallagoot Lake is a large expanse of water, although it is only two to three metres deep. The lake's catchment is found predominantly within Bournda National Park, the main tributary being Moncks Creek. The lake is blocked from the ocean by sand dunes on the eastern end - these dunes are broken intermittently, connecting the lake with the sea. Wallagoot Lake is home to many bird species including Black Swans and a threatened Tern. The lake is a popular spot for picnics and other recreation. Hobart Beach camping area lies on the southern shore of the lake, and on the northern edge lies the Wallagoot Lake Boat Club, with its parking, and also a picnic area, providing plenty of opportunities to enjoy the lake. Wallagoot Lake can be accessed by Wallagoot Lake Rd off the Sapphire Coast Drive. More info.

(0km) Int. Hobart Lagoon and Hobart Campground Trks → Int. Scotts Hut Picnic Area

1.3 km

19 mins

-2m Easy track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk keeps Wallagoot Lake to the right and follows the shoreline. The track continues behind the shoreline and soon tends left away from the views of the lake. The track heads through the heath for a short time to an intersection with two signposts, one of which points back to 'Hobart Beach camping area via Wallagoot Lake'[4].
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk follows the 'Scotts Bay picnic area'[5] sign, with Wallagoot Lake off to the right. The track continues to an intersection on the left and two signposts, one of which points back towards 'Hobart Beach camping area'[6]
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Scotts Bay picnic area' sign[7] down the path bordered by heath vegetation. The track winds slightly for a short time until arriving at the clearing and picnic facilities.

Scotts Bay picnic area

Scotts Bay picnic area, Bournda National Park, is situated on the southern banks of Wallagoot Lake, at Scotts Bay. The picnic area has a large grassed area with a few shady areas closer to the water. An electric BBQ plate, toilets and picnic tables are scattered in the shade. The picnic area surrounds the historic Scotts Hut building. The facilities can be accessed from Bournda Rd.

(2km) Int. Scotts Hut Picnic Area → Scotts Hut

130 m

2 mins

0m Easy track

Veer left: From the intersection behind the picnic area, the walk heads across the grass and the road. The walk then passes through the gate to explore Scotts hut and its garden.

Scotts Hut

Scotts Hut is situated on the south-western banks of Wallagoot Lake, halfway between Merimbula and Tathra, in Bournda National Park. The reconstructed hut (completed in 1988) was built in a slab cottage style. This cottage has a corrugated iron roof, and wooden walls and floorings. The cottage has been fitted with gutters which feed a water tank at the southern end of the hut. The hut has an open fireplace and its interiors are painted white. The builder of the hut was Thomas Scott, originally a resident of Cooma and a father of twelve, to two wives[8]. The hut is thought to have been built in 1890 on one of many pieces of land Mr Scott owned around the Wallagoot Lake. The hut can be accessed via the Sapphire Highway and Bournda Rd. Surrounding the hut is a picnic area and adjacent, Hobart Beach. More info.

Maps for the Scotts Hut walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Wolumla	1:25 000 Map Series	88242N WOLUMLA	NSW-88242N
Bega	1:100 000 Map Series	8824 BEGA	8824

Cross sectional view of the Scotts Hut bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Scotts Hut

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	3.6 km
		Time	1 hr 15 mins
		.
Grade 2/6 Easy track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
		Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
		Signs	Clearly signposted (1/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 1.7km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 110m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

Around 1.7km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail, whilst the remaining 110m follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

This whole walk, 1.8km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 1.8km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 1.8km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 1.8km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Scotts Hut walk.

Hobart Beach loop

1.2 km Circuit, 45 mins

This walk is a great way to explore Hobart Beach as it leaves the popular camping area to follow along the shore of Wallagoot Lake. The track is soft underfoot with most of the walk on sand. This is great way to enjoy the shore of Wallagoot Lake.

Total climbing: 1m

Moderate track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Scotts Hut walk.

Hobart Beach, Bournda Lagoon and Beach loop

10.6 km Circuit, 3 hrs 45 mins

This is an expansive walk out from Hobart Beach camping area taking in some of the best sights of Bournda National Park. The walk explores the area from the campsite, and around Bournda Lagoon, before following the beautiful North Tura and Bournda beaches back to the start. There is plenty of opport

Total climbing: 139m

Hard track

Hobart Beach camping area to Bournda Lagoon

5 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

From Hobart Beach camping area, this walk passes the hidden Bondi Lake to come to Bournda Lagoon. The lagoon is a wonderful oasis with the deep pool and sandy, shaded edges making a really pleasant area. The proximity to Bournda Beach also creates the opportunity to have a body surf. The track to Bo

Total climbing: 43m

Moderate track

Hobart Beach to Bournda Island Loop

7.6 km Circuit, 2 hrs 15 mins

The walk to Bournda Island from Hobart Beach camping area is an excellent way to see some of the sights in Bournda National Park. The first half of this picturesque walk is mainly closed in by heath and melaleuca, with closeup views of the local environment. The second half enjoys panoramic views fr

Total climbing: 70m

Hard track

Hobart Beach camping area to Bournda Trig loop

8 km Circuit, 3 hrs 30 mins

The walk from Hobart Beach camping area to Bournda Trig is a long walk, heading up the biggest hill in the area. The view from the top is shrouded by trees, giving visitors water glimpses and views of the ranges to the east. The walk is great exercise and explores a diverse range of environments in

Total climbing: 251m

Experienced only

Hobart Beach camping area to Bondi Lake

5 km Return, 1 hr 45 mins

The walk from Hobart Beach camping area to Bondi Lake is an interesting one, mostly running parallel to the lake, which you can't see, till the very end. The walk is shaded for most of the way due to the thick heath surrounding the track until it opens out onto Bondi Lake (dry when we walked it).

Total climbing: 42m

Experienced only

Hobart Beach to Games Bay

10.5 km Return, 3 hrs 30 mins

The walk to Games Bay from Hobart Beach camping area is a fantastic walk to this gem of a secluded beach. The turquoise waters of Games Bay tempt many people for a swim, and the bay is a great place for lunch under a shady tree.

Total climbing: 230m

Hard track

Hobart Beach to Wallagoot Gap

6 km Return, 1 hr 45 mins

This is a wonderful beach walk, to a more secluded beach. The walk crosses the dunes from Hobart Beach camping area and follows Wallagoot Beach north to Wallagoot Gap, just over the headland to the north. The Gap hides a small solitary beach which is a popular place for locals to swim or enjoy a qui

Total climbing: 70m

Moderate track

Bournda Beach car park to Beach

464 m Return, 10 mins

This walk is the most direct route onto Bournda Beach. The walk heads from the car park through the shaded heath to climb over the dunes and onto the beach. This places you on the beach just north of Bournda Lagoon and Island.

Total climbing: 10m

Moderate track

Bournda Lagoon lookout

482 m Return, 12 mins

This is a short walk that showcases Bournda Lagoon from a beautiful angle. The start of the walk is found at the Bournda Lagoon car park. The halfway point of the walk is the lookout above the lagoon, giving a great view across most of the lagoon and out to sea. After the walk you may want to head

Total climbing: 14m

Hard track

Bournda Lagoon via North Tura Lookout

5.2 km Circuit, 2 hrs

The Bournda Lagoon track is a wonderful walk around the Lagoon, exploring the surrounding area. Bournda Lagoon and Sandy Beach Creek support some lush vegetation, including a rain forest, on their shores. The walk is well signposted with the option to miss the North Tura section of the walk and head

Total climbing: 107m

Hard track

Bournda Lagoon

286 m Return, 5 mins

The wide and shady track to Bournda Lagoon slowly winds down to the edge of this wonderful lagoon. The Lagoon is fed by Sandy Beach Ck and is separated from Bournda Beach by a small sand dune. There are limited shaded spots once on the lagoon bank, but if you bring your own shade this is a great pla

Total climbing: 3m

Moderate track

Bournda Lagoon car park to Bournda Island

2.1 km Return, 45 mins

This walk passes Bournda Lagoon and crosses Bournda Beach to follow the headland to the island. Bournda Island divides North Tura and Bournda beaches. The island is exposed to the elements and provides stunning views along both beaches. The cave at the bottom of the island is interesting to explore

Total climbing: 35m

Hard track