Australian Alps Iconic Heritage Huts
There are over 200 historic huts, buildings and structures across the National Heritage listed Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves of the ACT, NSW and Victoria.
These huts and structures represent the diversity of previous land uses and help tell part of the historic and continuing story of the evolution and human interaction of this remarkable landscape. Whilst many of the huts are associated with past periods of pastoralism, many are also associated with mining, surveying, logging and milling, hydro-electric development, scientific research, conservation and park management or recreation such as skiing, bushwalking or fishing.
While the intact huts, ruins and sites of former huts are associated with a more recent part of this story, their presence in particular locations also act as markers for a far older and continuing landscape story of the Australian Alps Aboriginal Traditional Owners and first inhabitants. Aboriginal people came to the region at least 21,000 years ago, creating networks of pathways through the mountains, along ridges and valley floors. These cultural pathways link ceremonial sites along the mountain ranges as well as camps, settlements and other sites rich in natural resources and are still valued and still have strong associations with Aboriginal people and communities today.
The huts also are associated with the modern day story of volunteers through the Kosciuszko Huts Association (KHA) and Victorian High Country Huts Association (VHCHA), being two community voluntary associations formed to assist with the conservation, management and reconstruction of huts, homesteads and surrounds within the Australian Alps. You can help care for the huts and there associated heritage by joining or supporting these volunteer groups and by following the Hut Code when visiting any of the huts and learning more about the values and how huts of the Australian Alps are managed here.
The Australian Alps Iconic Heritage Huts 3D Digital Tours Project
The Australian Alps National Parks Co-Operative Management Program has been successful in attracting $198,000 of Australian Government funding under the National Heritage Listed Places – Australian Heritage Grants scheme 2021-2. We are currently working at delivering the project over the next 3 years in conjunction with our project partners including Kosciuszko Huts Association, Victorian High Country Huts Association, ACT Parks and Conservation Service, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and Parks Victoria.
This project will digitally capture and produce 3D digital twin models of over 100 heritage huts across the Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves of the ACT, NSW and Victoria. The highly accurate digital twin models will be an important record of these sites that assist park staff and volunteers in maintenance and restoration work for these important historic heritage sites. The high-definition 3D digital models will also be made available online and incorporated on the Australian Alps National Parks website for public viewing. The models will allow 3D virtual tours and walk-throughs with incorporated interpretive material such as drone footage, videos and historic information about each hut.
The project provides a unique visitor and interpretive experience for members of the public & community who may not be able to visit these locations due to access difficulties or the remote nature of many of these historic hut sites through 3D virtual tours & walk-throughs incorporating interpretive material such as drone footage, videos and historic information about each hut. Click on the interactive map below and each of the 15 huts captured so far as part of the pilot project to take a digital tour.
3D Virtual Tours and walk throughs:
- ACT
- NSW
- Victoria