Story about CrackenbackThe CottageThe little cottage of stone and timber, located adjacent to Restaurant, was built in 1884 by newly weds Thomas (1854-1926) and Bertha McEvoy (Nee Mulick) where they raised their nine children. 
The original cottage was designed using the area to its maximum use.Bertha’s Burrow The cottage was built around a central tree which was cut down to a square pillar to provide the well slabs. The large dead tree (Cottonwood Poplar) in front of the cottage was given to Thomas and Bertha as a gift when the Cottage was built. It marks the spot where Bertha’s tent kitchen was originally located and lovingly known as "Bertha’s Burrow" . The well on the property has never been known to dry up. The Name During the Crackenback Gold Rush, the cottage was used as a General Store for the miners. Old logging tracks can still scar the slopes and the materials for the fencing at the top of the ridge were carried from the valley . Locals claim this gave name to "Crack-em-back". Another version relates to craking the whip across the bullock’s backs to drive them up the steep slopes and yet another anecdote relates to the aborigines claiming that the steep ascent would "Crack-yer-back". The cottage was sold by the McEvoy family in the 1960’s and renovated by a local builder for Karel Neckivapil, a ski instructor & local artist. In 1977 the 100 acre block including the cottage and wool shed was purchased by the Young family.  The Young family The Young family moved to Crackenback from Sydney in the late 1970’s. The family spent the next two years designing and constructing the Guesthouse. Development restrictions in the area and subsequent legal battles delayed this process but it was built and became an immediate success. 
The original 1800’s McEvoy cottage became a small craft shop where Devonshire Teas
were served. Demand increased and the business out grew the tiny cottage. Crackenback Cottage
Restaurant was designed as a large replica and opened in 1982. The maze was built at the same
time with the assistance of a New Zealand maze consultant.After operating both the Cottage and the Guest House for a couple of years the Young’s were approached to lease the Cottage. With four children, the Young’s saw this as the perfect opportunity for some good family time so they agreed. The cottage was leased for 10 years to three different operators. At the same time membership became available in the guest house and this is known as Maneroo Farm Club (current price for a share is $25,000 freehold title and special rates - shares are released from time to time.) When Sarah finished school she began to operate the Guesthouse. After doing this successfully for four years, Sarah was in a position to also take over the restaurant. The place was in a very run down condition and needed a lot of TLC. Sarah has worked extremely hard for the past decade and has built Crackenback Cottage and Farm into an award-winning tourist attraction. Sarah was the winner of the 1997 Wendy O’Donohue Young Achiever in tourism award and in May 1998 was awarded the Executive Development in Tourism Course at the University of Hawaii. Some years ago Sarah purchased the Crackenback Cottage Restaurant complex from her parents and continues to expand the property with the latest edition being a rustic chapel ideal for weddings, baby naming days, meetings, workshops and parties. After 3 years of leasing the business Sarah is back operating. If you would like to contact Sarah her e-mail is sarah@crackenback.com or call her mobile + 61 (0) 407 249101 Postal address: PO Box 209, Thredbo NSW 2625 Australia  |
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