Asbestos Cottage Track, Cobb Valley

A start above Cobb Reservoir

The route begins near the summit of Cobb Dam Road, beside a car park, information shelter and toilet. Follow the signs for Cobb Ridge Route toward Asbestos Cottage. The track is an advanced tramp, with steep and rough sections, so it suits experienced, well-equipped walkers. DOC

Reaching the trailhead is part of the outing’s planning. From the powerhouse, Cobb Dam Road is unsealed and narrow, with steep drop-offs; drive carefully. Winter ice or snow can make the road hazardous, and a 4WD is recommended. DOC

Along the ridge

The first leg follows Cobb Ridge for an hour, with views across Cobb Reservoir. This exposed-feeling ridge section gives the walk its broadest outlook before the route turns away from the water and begins to lose height. DOC

The track then descends for 40 minutes through open tussock and beech forest to a junction. That shift from ridge to forest changes the character of the outing: the reservoir views give way to a rougher, enclosed passage, and the junction becomes the point to choose the final direction. DOC

The junction and the cottage

From the junction, continue for 20 minutes to Asbestos Cottage. The other track heads toward Lower Junction, but the described Asbestos Cottage route ends at the hut; there is no track onward from the cottage or to the historic asbestos mine. The track is new and has not yet been added to topographic maps. DOC

Annie and Henry Chaffey lived here from 1914 to 1951. Henry mined asbestos nearby, and the couple married at the cottage in 1932. The hut is listed as a basic bivvy, with 4 bunk beds, heating, mattresses and non-flush toilets. Its tap water is untreated and must be boiled before use. DOC

A careful visit

The nearby mine and adjacent track have extremely high levels of asbestos, creating a potential health risk. The cottage has been decontaminated and contaminated areas around the hut remediated, but visitors should not disturb the soil. DOC’s removal notice specifically names the older Asbestos Track from Cobb Dam Road to the cottage; the approach described here follows Cobb Ridge Route. Check current access information and follow the signed ridge approach. DOC

The listed distance is 4.5 km one way and the listed duration is 2 hours one way. There are no dogs allowed. These details, together with the advanced grade, rough sections and road conditions, make this a destination for trampers prepared to plan carefully rather than a casual cottage stroll. DOC