Cootapatamba Hut, Mountain hut in Kosciuszko National Park, Australia.
Cootapatamba Hut is a mountain shelter in Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales, sitting on the banks of the Swampy Plain River at high elevation. It has two separate entrances, one for summer use and one for snow conditions, along with basic sleeping space and a water supply.
A first shelter was built at this site in the 1950s to support walkers and climbers moving through this remote high-country area. In 2019, the National Parks and Wildlife Service replaced it with a full reconstruction that kept the character of the original building.
The red color of the hut is a deliberate choice that helps walkers spot the building from far away, even in poor weather or snow. This practice of using bold colors on remote shelters is part of a long tradition in Australian alpine country.
The hut sits along one of the most common descent routes from Mount Kosciuszko and works well as a rest stop on the way back. Weather in this high-country area can change quickly, so it is worth coming prepared whatever the season.
The name Cootapatamba comes from an Aboriginal language and is said to mean 'where the eagle drinks water', referring to the nearby lake of the same name. That lake is considered the highest natural lake in Australia.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
