Long Plain Hut campground is an unpowered, unmarked camping area in the High Plains of northern Kosciuszko National Park. It sits among snow gums and candlebarks beside a historic weatherboard hut, with room for tents, camper trailers and caravans. The landscape feels open and remote, yet the turn-off is only about 5km along Long Plain Road from the Snowy Mountains Highway.
This is a seasonal high-country stay. Long Plain Road and the campground access close from the June long weekend to the October long weekend, and NSW National Parks may extend that period. Outside winter, rain can still make the unsealed road boggy. Treat the official access notice as a trip-day check, not a once-a-year detail.
Sites and horse camping#
Sites are unmarked and unpowered inside a bollarded camping area. There is no published site count, so a booking confirms a stay rather than a numbered bay. Pick ground that suits your setup without blocking access or crowding the hut precinct.
Long Plain is unusual because it caters for horse riders. The official campground page directs horse campers to a signposted area on the left about 200m before the main campground. Horse camping is not permitted in the main area. Horse yards and hitching rails are available, but riders should bring portable yards to separate animals.
The hut itself is an emergency shelter, not accommodation. Do not sleep or set up camp inside it.
Facilities and what to bring#
Facilities are deliberately simple: non-flush toilets, picnic tables, wood barbecues and designated fire rings. There are no bins, drinking-water taps or powered sites. Bring drinking and cooking water, rubbish bags, food storage, warm layers and a reliable cooking alternative.
Campfires are allowed only in the provided fire pits when restrictions permit. Firewood is not supplied. NPWS allows collection of deadfall timber, but chainsaws are prohibited; bringing your own clean firewood is the simpler option. Check total fire bans before lighting anything.
The nearest dependable fuel and supplies are in Adaminaby, Cooma, Talbingo or Tumut. Mobile reception is limited, so save the visitor information and map before leaving coverage.
Getting there and seasonal access#
From Cooma, follow the Snowy Mountains Highway for about 124km towards Kiandra and Mount Selwyn. From Tumut, the highway approach is about 75km. Turn onto Long Plain Road, travel 5km on unsealed road, then take the 1km campground access.
Most roads are suitable for 2WD vehicles in dry conditions, and parking accommodates larger vehicles and horse floats. NPWS specifies 4WD for wet weather. It also recommends carrying snow chains between the June and October long weekends, even though the campground itself has no winter vehicle access.
What campers say#
Public traveller material is limited, so these are orientation notes rather than a broad review consensus. Two campground walk-through videos and a travelling-family visit, alongside a public Camps Australia Wide post, reinforce a few practical themes:
- The open high-country setting and the hut are the experience; this is not a serviced caravan park.
- Campers value the space for touring setups, but unmarked ground means levelness and exposure vary.
- Yarrangobilly Caves and the broader northern Kosciuszko high country make better day-trip anchors than campground entertainment.
- Cold air and rapid weather changes are part of the stay even outside the formal winter closure.
These sources cannot confirm current road condition, crowding or fire status. Check official local alerts immediately before travel.
Booking Long Plain Hut campground#
Book through NSW National Parks. The official listing currently shows no nightly camping fee, with a $6 booking fee, and no High Plains vehicle-entry charge. Online bookings cover up to 20 people or five sites; larger groups need to enquire. The maximum stay is 14 days here and 21 days across the national park.
If your preferred dates are unavailable, CampWatch can monitor supported dates for a cancellation.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When is Long Plain Hut campground accessible?
Long Plain Road and the campground access roads close between the June and October long weekends. That closure can be extended, and wet weather can make the road boggy, so check NSW National Parks alerts before leaving.
Is Long Plain Hut campground free?
NSW National Parks currently lists no nightly camping fee and a $6 booking fee. No vehicle entry fee applies in the High Plains area.
Can caravans reach Long Plain Hut campground?
Yes in suitable conditions. NSW National Parks lists caravan and camper trailer camping, larger-vehicle parking, and mostly 2WD access. A 4WD is required in wet weather and there is no winter vehicle access.
Can I camp with horses at Long Plain Hut?
Yes, but use the designated horse-camping area about 200m before the main campground. Horse camping is not allowed in the main campground; horse yards and hitching rails are provided.
Does Long Plain Hut have water or mobile reception?
Bring all drinking and cooking water. Mobile reception is limited in Kosciuszko National Park, so download maps and trip information before travelling.