Reconstruction completed of bushfire damaged Kosciuszko heritage huts

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service has advised that the rebuilding of 10 heritage huts which were destroyed by the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires in Kosciuszko National Park is now finished following the completion of Round Mountain Hut.

The 60 heritage huts in the park were built from the 1870s to the 1990s, by a range of people including cattlemen, prospectors and Snowy Mountains Scheme workers. They showcase the rugged nature of the area and have served as welcome emergency shelter to bushwalkers.

During the 2019-20 bushfires, 10 huts were destroyed, and an 11th was damaged. Since then, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has teamed up with descendants of the hut builders and volunteers from the Kosciuszko Huts Association and others to restore the buildings.

The rebuilt huts are:

• Linesman Huts (two buildings, built 1960s and 1980s)

• Sawyers Resthouse (built 1900s)

• Delanys Hut (built 1910)

• Vickerys Hut (built 1938-39)

• Bradley and O’Brien’s Hut (built 1952)

• Brooks Hut (built 1943)

• Four Mile Hut (built 1937)

• Round Mountain Hut (built 1913, 1953)

• Happys Hut (built 1931)

• Harveys Hut (believed to be built 1960s) (repaired rather than rebuilt)

Where possible the huts were prefabricated in Tumut then transported and rebuilt on site, including the Linesman Huts which were airlifted into position. The works were challenging due to the huts’ remote locations and difficult weather conditions in the alpine region.

Details on the Linesmans Hut rebuild via Tom’s Outdoors YouTube below:

The high-country huts and homesteads of Kosciuszko National Park are recognised as important NSW heritage structures and are required by law to be conserved. They are also popular tourist attractions. Some are accessible by car, while others require walking or horse riding.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Project Officer, Megan Bowden notes “The Kosciuszko huts are ‘living museums’, representing the rich history of the park and the many people who lived and used them.

“Countless hours have gone into meticulously rebuilding these huts, with photos and records being studied to ensure they are accurately honouring these historic monuments.

“It is incredible to know that many of these huts have been used for several generations, and thanks to the commitment of those involved they will continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.”

President of Kosciuszko Huts Association, Pip Brown added “the rebuilt huts look great and are a credit to the NPWS builders, volunteers from the Kosciuszko Huts Association and others involved.

“The rebuilding program has also trained agency staff and volunteers in traditional construction techniques to enable continuation of heritage building skills, such as splitting slabs with a maul and froe and log cabin construction to help keep these skills alive and maintain these huts for future generations.

“It was wonderful to see so many families associated with the huts at the hut openings and goes to show the social connections with the place are still strong.”

People with historic photographs of huts are encouraged to contact NPWS srhutsrebuild@environment.nsw.gov.au.

Image. Sill from Linesmans No.3 Hut video. Credit: Tom’s Outdoors YouTube