Bauer Bay hut is located on the west coast of Macquarie Island, approximately 7 km southwest from Macquarie Island station. It it the only hut located on the exposed, windswept, rugged west coast.

Bauer Bay is dominated by a large flat sandy beach with creeks that fan out over the coastal flat. The grassy slopes behind the hut are rapidly regenerating after many years of rabbit grazing. They are now dominated by thick patches of tussock and mega herbs.

Animals are plentiful and include gentoo, royal and king penguins. Elephant seals use the beach during breeding. Occasional over-flights of wandering albatross may even be seen during the summer.

Bauer Bay hut is easily accessible. The hut accommodates 4 to 5 people. It is popular with expeditioners travelling down the island or as a weekend retreat. The hut is well placed as a starting point for trips north or south along coastal walking routes.

The coastal terrain on the upper west coast is mainly featherbed. This makes for a unique walking experience. Featherbed is an almost flat terrace of thick layers of peat and decomposed vegetation floating on water. This waterlogged peat layer may be several metres thick in places. The feel of walking across the featherbed is like walking across a vast water-bed. Most expeditioners who cross it expect to ‘break through’ at some time during their stay on the island.

The hut is accessed by the Island Lake track, or by the Bauer Bay track that links up with the overland track. It can also be accessed by the featherbed track along the north-west coast.

The Featherbed and coast to the north of the hut is designated category 1 Special Management Area. It is generally open for to access from June to July. The featherbed south of the hut is designated category 2 Special Management Area. It is generally open to access from April to August. These areas protect colonies of southern and northern giant petrels and wandering albatross. These birds are particularly vulnerable to human disturbance during breeding.

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