Alf Bye’s Hut

Alf Bye was amongst the last of the lake country shepherds.  He had a deep love and understanding of the high country and his name is legendary when it comes to the pioneers in the area and his association with the property known as The Sandbanks, located at the Great Lake.  Traditionally and historically Alf Bye’s residence, which dates from the early 1900s, has been referred to as “Bye’s Hut”.  However, the size and physical proportions of the building, with four bedrooms and a large dining/living area, would probably be better described as a house or homestead.  Sadly, due to fire and vandalism, many of the outlying buildings, including a large shearing shed/stable complex, have been destroyed.  Several dog kennels, tanks used for firewood storage and an out-house are still evident today.  A hut built by Eric Linton sits outside the main gate and, following its compulsory acquisition by the H.E.C., was used by Alf Bye as a hay shed from the late 1960s.  The original sheep dip is located nearby, close to Sandbank Creek.