This region of our country has several well-known huts, some of which date back to early grazing periods. By visiting these huts, you can get a sense of the conditions experienced by early settlers.

Long Plain Hut

Located near Yorkie’s Creek, Long Plain Hut offers great shade and protection from the heat. It was built in 1916 and used as a dance hall, with a piano and drinks brought over from the Rules Point Hotel. During the winter months of the 1930s, it was used by rabbit trappers. There is a drop toilet and picnic tables for day visitors, but that is all. In the early evening, you may be joined by eastern grey kangaroos or wild brumbies quietly grazing and drinking from the creek.

Coolamine Homestead

The Coolamine Homestead is situated between the Cooleman Mountain and Blue Waterholes campgrounds, along the Blue Waterholes trail.

The Snowy Mountain Homestead is set in a stunning landscape of grassland and snow gums. The homestead consists of a number of buildings from the late 1800s, showcasing different styles of architecture. Step inside and you’ll discover the high country heritage of the Snowy Mountains, and get a taste of what life was like in this remote environment.

The main residence at Coolamine Homestead, Campbell House, is lined with old newspapers. You can take your time to read news stories from the early to mid 1900s, As you explore the homestead site, imagine the sounds of cattle being mustered and the sights of hidden treasures.

After taking in the stunning views, relax on the veranda or go for a walk down to Blue Waterholes and its gorge. Listen to the wind rushing through the snow gums as you enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Cooinbil Hut

Cooinbil Hut is a historical reminder of how early 1900s pastoralists used to live on the high country plains of Kosciuszko National Park. The hut overlooks treeless Long Plain and the headwaters of Murrumbidgee River, and is now the central feature of Cooinbil Hut campground, which is open to the public.

This campground has plenty of activities to keep you busy, like walking, fishing at nearby streams, setting up a picnic, and exploring local heritage sites. If you’re looking for a little more excitement, you can bring your mountain bike and go for a heart-racing ride through the grassy woods.

Snow gums and rare flowering plants surround the campground. Gang-gang cockatoos and crimson rosellas can be found all year round, so remember to pack your binoculars for a spot of birdwatching.

Oldfields Hut

Oldfields was originally built in 1925 by Jack Pheney for the Oldfield family. The Wards hut, which was previously built nearby for the family in 1920, was replaced by Oldfields.

Oldfields is a classic hut that is popular among walkers for its perfect positioning and construction style. It is also considered to have exceptional value from both a heritage and recreational viewpoint.

It is an easy walk from the gate on the Tantangara Dam road to the path, except for those coming from Orroral Valley or elsewhere in the ACT.

Brayshaws Hut

This small hut was built in 1903 out of wood, and it had two rooms and a verandah. It’s believed that Ted Brayshaw, a noted bush carpenter, built it for his brother David Brayshaw. David was a bachelor who lived in the hut until he died from injuries in 1931 after falling off his horse. There’s a stone cairn in the park that marks the spot where his body was found two days after his death.

There was a second building behind this hut prior to 1931, which may have been occupied by the teacher hired by local families to teach at the Tin Dish school nearby.

After David’s death, his nephew and niece lived in the hut until 1935. They added wallpaper and whitewash to make it more homey. Later on, they added extra bedrooms, a laundry room, and a bathroom. These additions have since been removed, and the hut is pretty much how it was between 1903 and 1931.

Indigenous culture

The Tumut region is home to the Wiradjuri and Walgalu people, who have a rich and varied culture. The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage has published a booklet that tells the stories of nine Indigenous women from the Brungle and Tumut valleys. This is a great resource for anyone interested in learning more about the culture of the local Indigenous people.

If you want to learn more about Aboriginal culture, consider joining one of the Wiradjuri Wonders Aboriginal Discovery Tours. You can learn about bush tucker, hunting and gathering, arts and crafts, and the Dreamtime.

Kosciuszko Huts Association
Learn more at the Kosciuszko Huts Association – https://khuts.org/