Photos
| Built | 1937 by Robert Hughes |
| Condition | ★★★★☆ (rebuilt in 2024 after bushfire loss) |
| Location | 5km SSE of Selwyn Quarry, 7km from Kiandra |
| Alternate Names | Hughes Hut, Kiandra Miner’s Hut |
| 1937 | Constructed by Robert Hughes, last active gold miner in the area |
| 1970s–80s | Restoration efforts led by Bogong Group and Klaus Hueneke |
| 2003 | Survived bushfires; shed destroyed |
| 2020 | Hut destroyed in Black Summer bushfires |
| 2024 | Rebuilt by NPWS and KHA volunteers using original plans |
Four Mile Hut is one of the most iconic and historically significant huts in Kosciuszko National Park. It was built in 1937 by gold fossicker Robert Hughes and served as a residence during the final phase of gold panning in the Kiandra goldfields. Remarkably, it remained the only complete mining hut in the area, a rare survivor of a once-thriving alpine industry.
The hut was constructed using salvaged materials, including slab walls, corrugated iron roofing, and even flattened five-gallon tins. A unique detail was the use of leather washers under every nail, a feature so distinctive that restoration teams replicated it during later rebuilds. For many years—until around 1981—a box of live dynamite was reportedly stored under one of the bunks, adding a touch of folklore to its already colorful history.
Four Mile Hut became a vital shelter for skiers and bushwalkers, especially during harsh alpine conditions. It has saved lives over the decades, though its small size meant it was never a reliable refuge for large parties. The hut was maintained by groups like The Bogong Group in the 1970s and later by the NSW Nordic Ski Club, who continue to care for it.
The hut was destroyed in the January 2020 bushfires, but thanks to dedicated volunteers and heritage advocates, it was rebuilt in 2024, preserving its legacy and continuing its role as a cultural and survival landmark. Today, it sits on an open plain about 5 km south-southeast of Selwyns Quarry or 7 km from Kiandra, easily accessible by ski or walk—unless buried by snow.
Interview with Jim Pattinson and his wife on the 26 July 1980 2
KH: Bob would have been a bit of a hermit would he?
JP: Yes, I think so.
MRS P: He was a very nice chap, our kids were very fond of Bob ... He knew Betty as a little girl, she loved raw carrot . Any time he'd going past, he'd pull a fresh carrot out of the garden for her. He got on well with everybody. He used to scrub his floors - he was as tidy as anything...
KH: Did he have friends that would call on him and stay with him.
MRS P Oh yes. The Barnes used to stop with him and his sister used to come. Charlie Bell always called to see him.
JP: He was a reserved sort of a chap. He ' d come visiting on a Sunday and sit for 2- 3 hours and might only say 3- 4 words.
Four Mile Hut is listed in the KNP Plan of Management Schedule and supported by a completed Conservation History. It is considered one of the most critical huts in the park for both historical and survival value. The 2024 rebuild followed Burra Charter principles and retained all original design features.
Notes from 'Kosciuszko National Park Huts Conservation Strategy' October 20053