MT. NUGONG


Grid Reference EU 795792
Department DEPI
Work Depot Swifts Creek
Region Gippsland
Grading Primary
Elevation (ASL) 1482m
Height 18m
Construction Steel
Cabin size 2.25m x 2.25m
Public access to site Yes
In use since 194? - 1976
1976 - current
CFA Region 11 - Eastern
Photos and information supplied by Dave Harvey

A Mr. Ah Chow from Ensay Nth. was a pioneering towerman for 20 years. He would travel with packhorse and spend the summer months at Mt. Nugong and the winter months at the family's farm at Ensay North. During his time at Mt. Nugong, he constructed a log and stone cabin on Bently Plains, 5km by road or 2.5km 'as the crow flies' from Mt. Nugong. The cabin is locally known as "Moscow Villa" and is equipped to accommodated approx. 20 people.
Nearby is an old steam engine know as "The Washington". It was used to haul timber up steep slopes with an array of flying foxes, steel cables and pulleys. All are still clearly visible today.
The old tower blew down in a storm in 1974 and the current tower was built.
There used to be a small timber cabin at the tower with a fire place, water tank, drop toilet and a BBQ. (See 1989 thumbnail photo below)
Mt. Nugong lies above the snowline and is surrounded by snowgums. Views from the Gippsland Lakes (100km), Orbost, Bogong High Plains Mt. Hotham and Mt. Kosciusko can be obtained from Mt. Nugong.

Mt. Nugong received a new cabin and ladders in 2013

Please click on thumbnails for enlargements
Looking towards Swifts Creek
Supplied by Dave Harvey
Looking towards Bairnsdale
Supplied by Dave Harvey
Hut in 1989
Supplied by
Rocky Marsden DSE
1998 supplied by
David Turner DSE
2009 supplied by
Matthew Brennan


Original tower in 1952?
Supplied by Noel Fraser
Current tower in 2014
Supplied by Andre Belterman
Current Cabin (2014)
Supplied Andre Belterman
Supplied by
Andre Belterman


Mt. Nugong in 1958. Photo supplied by the Melbourne Walking Club (Robin Bailey)


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