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HISTORIC HUTS

Inside one of the huts at Crater Cove, Sydney

One of the more appealing huts features a decoartive stone fireplace. Picture: Alamy.com

Crater Cove huts were both
ramshackle and rustic

The seven huts at Crater Cove were constructed from natural and recycled materials found in the immediate area, with the exception of sheets of corrugated iron used for roofing and recycled doors sourced from the outside world.

Stone was abundant in the immediate area, as was driftwood, but fibro sheets and iron roofing had to be carried into the cove. Ceilings comprise a series of boards laid across beams to support corrugated iron sheets.

Windows with glass pains are in most of the huts and a decorative stone fireplace can be seen in one of the more appealing structures.

Inside the huts are planks and slabs of hardwood bolted together to form stools, bunks and tables. Items carried in from the outside world include a variety of chairs - including a wooden rocking chair - large metal pots, cooking utensils, crockery and pans, wicker baskets, gas bottles and gas cookplates.

A floodlight can be seen bolted to a ceiling beam in one hut. This may have been in Simon Flynn's hut, which had solar panels installed on the roof.

Also inside the huts are personal effects of former occupants including books, guitar and a jacket hanging on a wall, in many ways suggesting the huts were still lived in.

The huts inhabitants carved out garden patches and grew their own vegetables, and were also skilled in making the huts dry and comfortable.

Guttering on one roof is channeled into a rain water tank, which would have provided the occupant with a fresh water supply.

Because the huts lie at the bottom of steep slopes, rocks were used to create canals to divert water away from the structures, while steps were carved into sandstone to allow for easier access between the huts.

Stone huts on eastern side of Crater Cove, Sydney

A close-up view of the stone huts on the eastern cliffs of Craters Cove. The stone wall on the left of the picture encloses the verandah of the first hut. Picture: © Sydney.com.au

Sydney Harbour views from the verandah of a Crater Cove stone hut

The verandah provides an excellent vantage point for panoramic harbour views. Picture: © Sydney.com.au

Small windows add more light to one of Crater Cove's huts

The sophistiction of the huts' design is seen in this picture, with small windows placed directly under the roof to allow more light to flow into the tiny structures. Picture: © Sydney.com.au

Stone huts on eastern side of Crater Cove, Sydney