Penny Sharpe
Minister for Climate Change, Minister for Energy
Minister for Environment, Minister for Heritage
Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council
Steve Whan
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education
MEDIA RELEASE
Keeping our history alive: Kosciuszko heritage huts complete
Monday, 2 June 2025
The reconstruction of ten heritage huts which were destroyed by the Black Summer bushfires in Kosciuszko National Park is now finished, with 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, ten huts were destroyed, and an 11th was damaged. Since then, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has teamed up with the 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 (build 1938-39)
- Bradley and O'Brien's Hut (built 1952)
- Brooks Hut (built 1943)
- Four Mile Hut (built 1937)
- Round Mountain Hut (build 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.
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 other require walking or horse riding.
The Minns Labor Government thanks all involved for their support of the huts, including volunteers, descendants of those who originally built of lived in the huts, and local retailer, Tom's Outdoors.
Quote attributable to Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Penny Sharpe:
"It was wonderful to see Four Mile Hut brought back to life by so many committed volunteers and National Parks staff, just metres from the charred remains of the original structure.
"The Minns Labor Government is dedicated to the conservation of heritage sites within national parks including these heritage huts.
"They are not just important places for emergency shelter, but also gems for the high country which have contributed to the rich heritage of NSW."
Quotes attributable to Member for Monaro, Minister Steve Whan:
"Like many locals I have walked to a number of our mountain huts, they are a wonderful connection to the history of the cattlemen, prospectors and pioneers who lived in the region. In many cases they are also important emergency shelters as well as historical icons.
"Rebuilding them after the devastation of the Black Summer fires is a testament to the resilience of our community and the value the Minns Labor Government places on our heritage.
"This has been an incredible collaboration between National Parks staff, local volunteers, and communities with deep ties to the huts. I'm proud to see the people of Monaro leading the way in preserving our unique alpine heritage."
Quotes attributable to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Project Officer, Megan Bowden:
"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."
Quotes attributable to President of Kosciuszko Huts Association, Pip Brown:
"The rebuilt huts looks 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."
Further information:
People with historic photographs of huts, contact NPWS [email protected]
For more information on volunteering visit Volunteer work: Historic huts restoration | NSW National Parks
For details on the Linesmans Hut rebuild visit Linesmans No.3 Hut Airlifted by Helicopter | Kosciuszko Post-Bushfire Hut Rebuild | Part 6
