Sawyers Hill Hut
Known as Sawyers Hill Hut, Sawyers Inn or The Rest House.
Location
Sawyers is located on the road-side at Sawyers Hill, near the Rocky Plains fire trail, and immediately beside the Snowy Highway. It is a popular rest stop for motorists. This road was not the main trail in the 1860s, which was a little further to the north. The Grid reference is 389263 on the Denison 1:25,000 map.
Brief History
Sawyers was part of a larger building, originally built in the 1860’s as a staging post for Cobb & Co coaches on their way to Rules Point. It replaced an Inn at this same location, so that the photo to the left (May 2022) was at least the third building on this site.
The hut was restored by the NPWS in the late 1990’s particularly to the chimney, which was done in the early 2000’s. Unfortunately, it was burnt down in the 2020 fires, but listed as “first” to be resurrected by the NPWS and volunteers, which commenced in April 2022. The photo to the left shows the almost-complete new building on 14 May 2022.
Construction
It is built of vertical wooden slabs, with a concrete floor and roof of iron. There was an original fireplace and a chimney of stone and brick. This is being rebuilt in brick, according to version 1 of the hut in 2022. With the exception of the concrete floor, the second construction is correct to the original design, despite it being used as a picnic shelter.
The third version of the hut has received considerable architectural consideration and will look the same but have some very different features to prevent destruction by fire (again), including metal cinder barriers on the windowsills and eaves. It will also have a stone barrier around the base, and sprinkler systems installed in the roof, plus a water tank. There are metal shutters also planned for the new building which are in keeping with photos of the original hotel.
The new hut will has other special features, such as a narrower door, specifically to keep vehicles out, and also help to stop theft of the picnic furniture!
Caretakers - NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
References
Hueneke p246
KHA reference number is 1402 and
KNP POM number is L.110.
GPS: S 35.895824 E 148.540564
