Brackens Hut

Coolah Tops National Park

Open, check current alerts 

Overview

Brackens Hut provides rustic accommodation and a great base to explore the walking, mountain biking trails and spectacular scenery that Coolah Tops has to offer.

Accommodation Details
Accommodation type Other
Where 253 Hildegarde Road, Coolah, NSW, 2843 - in Coolah Tops National Park
Bedrooms 2
Maximum guests 5
Facilities Picnic tables, barbecue facilities, drinking water, toilets, balcony, indoor fireplace
What to bring Padlock, bed sheets, blankets, pillows, towels, toilet paper, pots and pans, food supplies, fuel stove, firewood, torch
Please note
  • Check in 2pm. Check out 10am.
  • Additional guests are permitted to camp around the hut (no fee).
  • There's limited mobile service in the park and the nearest public phone is in Coolah.
  • The hut is in a remote location so it’s a good idea to pick up supplies before you arrive. Stores and petrol are available in Coolah, a 30 minute drive from Brackens Hut.

Brackens Hut is a rustic cabin set on a grassy flat, surrounded by tall open forest with the picturesque Norfolk Island Creek nearby. Rest your weary head for a night, or make Brackens Hut your base for a few days to explore everything that Coolah Tops has to offer.

Spend your days enjoying the nearby walking tracks, mountain bike trails and spectacular lookouts. Then at night, wind down beside the warm open fireplace. Wander outside to observe the star-speckled night sky. Grab your torch and you might spot a greater glider drifting between the trees. Wake up to a delicious campfire brekkie and a hot cuppa. Take your time and relax at the picnic table, watching the bush come to life as you prepare for another day of adventure in the Aussie bush.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Also see

  • View over to Bald Hills waterfall, which tumbles over basalt rock formations, Coolah Tops National Park. Photo: Nicola Brookhouse © DPIE

    Bald Hill Creek Falls picnic area

    Bald Hill Creek Falls picnic area is in Coolah Tops National Park, near The Pines campground. It’s a great stop on the walk to Bald Hill waterfall, which cascades over basalt rock formations.

Map


Map legend

Map legend

Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/accommodation/brackens-hut/local-alerts

Bookings

Operated by

Park info

  • in Coolah Tops National Park in the Country NSW region

  • Coolah Tops National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather, fire danger or management operations. The eastern end of the park is regularly closed during wet weather due to slippery road conditions.

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Brackens Hut.

Getting there and parking

Brackens Hut is in the western precinct of Coolah Tops National Park and is accessed via the Coolah township. To get there:

  • After entering the park, continue on The Forest Road for approximately 7km.
  • Turn right into Hildegard Road.
  • Continue on Hildegard Road for approximately 3km.
  • Turn left at the intersection and follow the signs to the hut

Road quality

  • Unsealed roads

Vehicle access

  • 2WD vehicles

Weather restrictions

  • All weather

Parking

Parking is available just outside the fence surrounding the hut.

Off-road trailers and caravans can be parked outside the perimeter fence. Please beware that there is a small creek crossing.

Best times to visit

There are lots of great things waiting for you in Coolah Tops National Park. Here are some of the highlights.

Autumn

Great camping weather before the cold weather arrives. Swap stories by the campfire about the day's adventures.

Spring

See the park come to life as the pink darling pea, yellow flowering black wattle and silver wattle burst into colour.

Summer

Enjoy warm days walking and mountain biking and cooler nights in the bush.

Facilities

  • Brackens Hut is a rustic cabin with no kitchen facilities or electricity.
  • There are no shower, bathroom or laundry facilities. However, there is a pit toilet outside.
  • There is no television or stereo at the hut.
  • Please make sure you leave the hut in a clean and tidy manner and report any breakages, damage or maintenance issues.
  • Rubbish bins are not available, so please take all rubbish with you.

Toilets

  • Non-flush toilets

Picnic tables

Barbecue facilities

  • Fire rings (bring your own firewood)

Drinking water

There is a small unfiltered rain water tank next to the hut. You’ll need to boil or treat the water before drinking.

Balcony

There is a verandah. 

Indoor fireplace

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

Bushwalking safety

If you're keen to head out on a longer walk or a backpack camp, always be prepared. Read these bushwalking safety tips before you set off on a walking adventure in national parks.

Mobile safety

Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

Accessibility

Disability access level - no wheelchair access

Prohibited

The use of chainsaws is not permitted.

Generators

Pets

Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.

Smoking

NSW national parks are no smoking areas.

Learn more

Brackens Hut is in Coolah Tops National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

    Get active in the bush

    Brackens Cottage in Coolah Tops National Park. Photo: Nick Cubbin

    Pack your hiking boots and your mountain bike and be ready to get active in the bush at Coolah Tops. There are plenty of great walking tracks and trails to experience the bush on your bike. Make your way to lookouts like Shepherd's Peak or Breeza lookout for spectacular views to the north over the Liverpool Plains and the sheer escarpment. You'll also find several waterfalls along the escarpment where the creeks plunge over the plateau edge.

    Wildlife haven

    Eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) on top of Bundella lookout, Coolah Tops National Park. Photo: Barry Collier

    Looking out across the beautiful landscape of Coolah Tops National Park, it's obvious why you'll find so much wildlife here. Wander quietly along one of the walking tracks and you'll probably have a close encounter with red-necked wallabies and eastern grey kangaroos. You might also find a wombat waddling through the campground. Coolah Tops has some of the highest population densities of greater gliders in Australia. At night, keep your torch handy to see greater gliders, ring-tailed possums and possibly feather-tailed gliders or a sugar glider in the nearby trees.

    • Grass Tree walking track Grass Tree walking track is a great way to explore a magical landscape of ancient grass trees in Coolah Tops National Park. A must-do for visitors, this easy walk starts at The Barracks campground.
    • Shepherds Peak walking track For experienced bushwalkers, Shepherds Peak walking track in Coolah Tops National Park is a great way to explore sub-alpine forest. Come prepared for a steep scramble up the peak’s volcanic dome.
    • Snow Gum walking track Snow Gum walking track in Coolah Tops National Park is an easy way to experience some of the largest known snow gum trees in a beautiful old-growth forest setting, near Coolah.

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