Four Mile Hut | The Rebuild of a Kosciuszko Icon | History, Bushfires & Legacy of Bob Hughes
The now rekindled Four Mile Hut is one of the most well loved huts in Northern Kosciuszko. Originally built in 1934 by Kiandra miner and bushman Bob Hughes, the hut stood for decades as a refuge for walkers and skiers travelling through the northern end of the park. When the 2020 bushfires swept through the region and destroyed eleven historic huts, Four Mile Hut was among those lost. This documentary follows Ranger Megan Bowden along with master hut builders Roger Rosenboom and Peter Dow as they bring Four Mile back to life.
Set beside trickling Four Mile Creek, around 10 kilometres south of Kiandra, the hut has long held a special place in the hearts of those who passed through. The film traces its origins through the life of Bob Hughes, whose quiet generosity and skill helped shape the history of the Kiandra district. The National Parks and Wildlife Service along with and volunteers from the Kosciuszko Huts Association and NSW Nordic Ski Club, have worked tirelessly together to rebuild the hut in a way that honours the original structure while ensuring it can endure future seasons and future fires.
Through interviews with project leader NPWS Ranger Megan Bowden, long-time Nordic Ski Club caretaker Ian Griffith, historian and author Klaus Hueneke, the documentary reveals how deeply connected people are to this place. More than just a shelter, Four Mile Hut is part of a shared cultural landscape—a place to be enjoyed once again by skiers, walkers, caretakers and enthusiasts for years to come.
National Parks and Wildlife builders Roger Rosenboom and Peter Dow have played a central role in the entire hut rebuild program. Their meticulous attention to detail guided every decision, from the shaping of the timber slabs to matching the rust lines of the tin roof—aided by studying old photographs and examining surviving materials. While modern elements such as steel subframes and fire-retardant features were essential for resilience, Roger and Peter ensured that the hut’s outward appearance remains faithful to the original 1934 structure. Their skill, patience and deep respect for heritage have allowed the new version of the hut to feel instantly familiar, carrying forward the spirit of the place while preparing it for decades of future use.
Pictured: Paul Jennings, Ian Griffith, Rodney Fifield, Roger Rosenboom, Peter Dow, Megan Bowden.
Filmed and Edited by Dean Johnson