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Contributed By: Ben SouthallTucked away in the high country of the Snowy Mountains are some hidden gems that are well worth a visit.
The iconic, hidden huts of Kosciusko National Park were once a vital safety haven in a desolate landscape. Today they offer more than a resting place, they’re seriously photographic – you just have to get to them.
Amidst the serene white blanket that covers the Snowy Mountains in winter, lie numerous huts that offer adventurers a peek into the past and an off-the-grid escape. These historic shelters, standing tough against the harsh winter elements, beckon the brave to experience solitude and beauty in its purest form.
Ben Southall, expedition leader from Best Life Adventures shares five of the best huts he's striving to visit over winter 2024. The Best Life Adventures Mount Jagungal Wilderness Expedition will take us to two of our favourites. Will you join us?
Seamans Hut
- Elevation: 2,015m
- N Adventures: Kosciuszko, Mt. Townsend
Seamans Hut offers a haven for hikers caught in unexpectedly rough weather in Kosciuszko National Park. Built in memory of a skier who perished nearby, this shelter sits at the roof of Australia, providing a playground of adventure in its surrounds.
In winter, backcountry and cross-country skiers call Seamans Hut their home while ploughing down Australia’s high-country.
Valentine Hut
- Elevation: 1,685m
- Nearby Adventures: Valentine Falls, Wesley Mountain
Originally built in the 1950s for a surveying crew, Valentine Hut is notable for its distinctive red paint and white hearts. Positioned at the top of the Munyang corridor, it housed essential communication gear for the Snowy Mountains Authority over its life span.
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Cascade Hut
- Elevation: 1,491m
- Nearby Adventures: Bob’s Ridge, Tin Mines Trail
Cascade Hut lies deep in Kosciuszko National Park, accessible via the Cascade Trail. This historic hut, surrounded by natural beauty, serves as a perfect stop for snowshoers and hikers ready for a slog exploring the area’s remote trails.
Tin Hut
- Elevation: 1,855m
- Nearby Adventures: Gungartan, Mt Porcupine
Like Valentine Hut, Tin Hut embodies the rich history and enduring spirit of the Snowy Mountains’ pioneers. Blanketed by snow in the winter, this hut has a lot of ‘character’ that is sure to provide as an oasis amongst the nearby challenging terrain.
Cootapatamba Hut
- Elevation: 1,855m
- Nearby Adventures: Lake Cootapatamba, Mt. Kosciuszko
Cootapatamba Hut stands as an emergency shelter near Australia’s highest lake, Lake Cootapatamba. Its location, deep within Kosciuszko National Park makes it a vital point for hikers tackling the ever-changing landscape of the Snowy Mountains in the depths of winter.
Whilst these huts may be iconic and easy to visit during the summer months, getting to them when they’re in the depths of winter becomes a true winter adventure as they’re in the middle of ‘whoop whoop’ (or nowhere if you don’t speak Aussie). How many have you been to?
If you’re up for an adventure of a different kind, strap on your skis, fill your sledge and join our latest Best Life Adventure, Mt Jagungal Wilderness.
Best Life Adventures gear Picks for venturing into Kosciusko National Park in winter:
1. MSR - WHISPERLITE INTERNATIONAL MULTI-FUEL HIKING STOVE BURNER
Temperatures in the snowy mountains can get well below freezing, which in turn can cause your gas systems to run inefficiently or just freeze up. The MSR -WHISPERLITE can use both gas and liquid fuel systems, so for those cold excursions in the Backcountry, liquid fuel is your best asset. The added bonus of also being a gas system means you can take the Whisperlite on your weekend adventures.
2. XTM - WHISTLER II GORETEX UNISEX MITTENS
By now you probably know that there are very few cases where a set of gloves is going to outperform mittens, and if you are someone who has poor circulation or you ‘run cold’, mittens are a no brainer. These XTM mittens are perfect for those going into the Australian backcountry as they are Gore-Tex lined and breathable through the Barrel lock Cuff system.
3. ARCTERYX - BETA JACKET
It’s no coincidence that the ARCTERYX - BETA JACKET is a bucket list item of many adventurers. The attention to detail that is apparent from the stitching to the cut to the quality of fabric is why these jackets last a lifetime. The Aussie backcountry can be relentless and change in an instant. Knowing you are wearing the best can give you the peace of mind to think clearly in those stressful situations.
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If you're looking for Travel Gear, Wild Earth has got you covered from backpacks and roller bags, to hiking clothing and travel essentials. Planning an overseas adventure? Visit us in-store to chat with our experts or shoot us a message online if you have any questions!
Don’t forget to share your adventures with us on Instagram by tagging @wildearthaustralia and #mywildearth in your next post.
About the contributor:
Ben Southall is an Adventurepreneur best known for winning Tourism Queensland’s ‘Best Job in the World’ in 2009. Since then, he’s kayaked the length of the Great Barrier Reef, set world records running up mountains in Australia and New Zealand, and driven his faithful old Land Rover, Colonel Mustard around Africa and from Singapore to London. Today Ben is the founder of Best Life Adventures - an adventure travel company that takes adventurous minds to some of the most extreme wilderness areas on the planet. He’s at his happiest, disconnected from technology, on the ocean or in the mountains.
