Wolgal Hut
Selwyn area in Kosciuszko National Park
Overview
Wolgal Hut is closed because of severe damage from bushfires.
| Accommodation type | Lodge |
|---|---|
| Bedrooms | 3 |
Wolgal Hut, in the subalpine district of Kiandra, is closed due to severe bushfire damage. Rich in history, the area around the hut was home to one of Australia’s shortest gold rushes and is considered the birthplace of skiing in Australia.
Before it closed, this historic hut made a great base for exploring the high country of the Australian Alps in Kosciuszko National Park.
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/wolgal-hut/local-alerts
Operated by
- Tumut Region Visitor Centre
- 9am to 5pm daily. Closed Christmas Day.
- 02 6947 7025
- tumutrvc@environment.nsw.gov.au
- The Old Butter Factory, 5 Adelong Road, Tumut NSW 2720
Park info
- in the Selwyn area of Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains region
The Selwyn area is open all year, but some roads and trails may close due to weather conditions or park management issues. Kings Cross Road and the Khancoban-Cabramurra Road are closed in winter (June to October long weekends). Some campgrounds in the Selwyn area close in winter.
-
Park entry fees apply in winter on Link Road
June to October long weekends: $29 per vehicle per day (24hrs from purchase); motorcycles $12; bus passengers $11.45 per adult, $3.60 per child per day (24hrs). Single and Multi-Day passes available from entry stations, NPWS visitor centres, pay machines or via the Park'nPay app.
See vehicle entry fees for other areas in Kosciuszko National Park.
Buy annual pass.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Wolgal Hut.
Getting there and parking
Wolgal Hut is closed until further notice due to bushfire damage. Wolgal Hut is in the Kiandra precinct of Kosciuszko National Park.
From Cooma, take Snowy Mountains Highway via Adaminaby towards Kiandra for approximately 90km.
From Tumut travel south on the Snowy Mountains Highway for almost 100km.
Please ensure you have winter mix diesel vehicles in winter months, to avoid the fuel freezing.
Road quality
- It's recommended that all vehicles carry snow chains from the June to October long weekends. Read our snow driving in Kosciuszko tips.
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- Snow chains required after snow
Parking
Parking is available at Wolgal Hut. However, during the winter months you might need to park closer to the highway to ensure you aren’t snowed in.
Facilities
- Pillow cases and bottom sheets are provided. It can get quite cold so come prepared for cold weather.
- Wolgal Hut is fully-furnished and has a full kitchen with gas appliances and two bathrooms.
- You must be self-sufficient operating a generator (fuel supplied) and gas appliances including heater, fridge and stove.
- There is no DVD player, television or stereo in the accommodation.
- There are no laundry facilities
- Outdoor fires may only be lit where barbecues are provided
- Please leave the premises clean and tidy, with cutlery and cooking utensils washed and put away, or additional cleaning fees may be charged.
- If possible, please take all rubbish with you upon departure. Otherwise place in the bin behind the hut.
- We advise you boil the water at Wolgal. Wolgal Hut is operated with a combination of ULP generator and solar/batteries and gas.
- Guests must read the instructions provided at the hut for operation. Use of multiple devices may drain electricity supplies.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - no wheelchair access
Prohibited
Camping
Caravans and camping are not permitted in the Kiandra Heritage precinct.
Drones
Flying a drone for recreational purposes is prohibited in this area. Drones may affect public enjoyment, safety and privacy, interfere with park operations, or pose a threat to wildlife. See the Drones in Parks policy.
This area may be a declared Drone Exclusion Zone, or may be subject to Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules for flying near airports, aerodromes and helicopter landing sites. See CASA's Drone Flyer Rules.
Commercial filming and photography
Commercial filming or photography is prohibited without prior consent. You must apply for permission and contact the local office.
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
Wolgal Hut is in Selwyn area. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Kiandra's claims to fame
The discovery of gold at Kiandra in 1859 attracted up to 10,000 prospectors hoping to strike it rich. Just 18 months later, after harsh winters and falling gold finds, only a few hundred gold miners remained. It's remembered as one of Australia’s shortest gold rushes, not to mention it’s highest (and coldest). In 1861, Kiandra became the birthplace of skiing in Australia, when Norwegian gold miners fashioned skis from fence palings. By the 1870s regular ski carnivals were arranged, and Australia had its first official ski slope here. Mining continued into the 1930s, with grazing and winter skiing also keeping the community alive. Before devastating fires in 2019-2020, four buildings still stood here, including Kiandra Courthouse, which had served as a courthouse, private residence, ski chalet, hotel and bar.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
-
Bare-nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus)
A large, squat marsupial, the Australian bare-nosed wombat is a burrowing mammal found in coastal forests and mountain ranges across NSW and Victoria. The only other remaining species of wombat in NSW, the endangered southern hairy-nosed wombat, was considered extinct until relatively recently.
-
Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)
One of the most fascinating and unusual Australian animals, the duck-billed platypus, along with the echidna, are the only known monotremes, or egg-laying mammals, in existence. The platypus is generally found in permanent river systems and lakes in southern and eastern NSW and east and west of the Great Dividing Range.
-
Wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax)
With a wingspan of up to 2.5m, the wedge-tailed eagle is Australia’s largest bird of prey. These Australian animals are found in woodlands across NSW, and have the ability to soar to heights of over 2km. If you’re bird watching, look out for the distinctive diamond-shaped tail of the eagle.
Plants
-
Billy buttons (Craspedia spp. )
Billy buttons are attractive Australian native plants that are widespread throughout eastern NSW in dry forest, grassland and alpine regions such as Kosciuszko National Park. The golden-yellow globe-shaped flowers are also known as woollyheads. Related to the daisy, billy buttons are an erect herb growing to a height of 50cm.