Scutts Hut

Mount Kaputar National Park

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Overview

Scutts Hut is a popular historic site within Mount Kaputar National Park. It’s a restored hut that shows a slice of early pioneer history.

Type
Historic buildings/places
What to
bring
Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
Please note
  • For your safety, camping or fires are not permitted within 20m of the hut.
  • The weather in this area can be extreme and unpredictable, so please ensure you’re well-prepared for your visit.
  • There is limited mobile reception in this park
  • Remember to take your binoculars if you want to go bird watching

Scutts Hut is a fascinating historic site and well worth the walk-in adventure. This slice of early pioneer history is set on the scenic banks of Horsearm Creek within Mount Kaputar National Park in North West NSW. Starting from Bark Hut picnic area and campground, follow Scutts Hut and Kurrawonga Falls walk along Scutts Hut trail, popular with bushwalkers and birdwatchers alike.

The hut has been fully restored to show how the early pioneers once lived. You can still see the earth floor, open fireplace, cypress logs and stringybark slabs. Built by grazier Archie Scutt in 1938, it took two years to complete. Most of the materials, including a rainwater tank, were brought up the mountainside by packhorse, which was no mean feat in those days.

There’s also optional bush camping on a grassy clearing near the hut if you prefer to take your time.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


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Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/historic-buildings-places/scutts-hut/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Scutts Hut.

Getting there and parking

Scutts Hut is in the Kaputar Plateau precinct of Mount Kaputar National Park. To get there:

  • From Narrabri take Old Gunnedah Road south
  • After about 2.5km turn left onto Kaputar Road
  • Follow Kaputar Road for 27km to the Mount Kaputar National Park entrance
  • The Bark Hut turn-off is 14km on the right
  • The Scutts Hut trail trackhead is approximately 100m past the Bark Hut turn-off
  • It's a 9.5km walk to the hut

Road quality

The road from the park entrance is steep and a single lane. Caravans are not permitted.

  • Unsealed roads

Vehicle access

  • 2WD vehicles (no long vehicle access)

Weather restrictions

  • Dry weather only

Parking

Parking is available at Bark Hut picnic area and campground.

Best times to visit

There are lots of great things waiting for you in Mount Kaputar National Park. Here are some of the highlights.

Autumn

This is one of the best times of year to visit the park, with ideal temperatures for bush walking, cycling and camping.

Spring

A beautiful time of year to enjoy the abundant wildflowers and birds.

Summer

Escape the heat of the plains by heading up into the park.

Winter

Experience the mist surrounding the high plateau area and enjoy the beauty of the occasional blanketing of snow. Be prepared for the temperatures about 10°C cooler than in the nearby town of Narrabri.

Weather, temperature and rainfall

Summer temperature

Average

21°C and 35°C

Highest recorded

43.4°C

Winter temperature

Average

7°C and 18°C

Lowest recorded

-5.6°C

Rainfall

Wettest month

January

Driest month

August

The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

188mm

Facilities

  • You'll need to bring your own drinking and cooking water
  • You’re encouraged to bring gas or fuel stoves, especially in summer during the fire season.

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

This park is in a remote location, so please ensure you’re well-prepared, bring appropriate clothing and equipment and advise a family member or friend of your travel plans.

Bushwalking safety

If you're keen to head out on a longer walk or a backpack camp, always be prepared. Read these bushwalking safety tips before you set off on a walking adventure in national parks.

If you’re bushwalking in this park, it’s a good idea to bring a topographic map and compass, or a GPS.

Mobile safety

Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

Prohibited

Pets

Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.

Smoking

NSW national parks are no smoking areas.

Learn more

Scutts Hut is in Mount Kaputar National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

A harsh lifestyle

Scutts Hutt, Mount Kaputar National Park. Photo: Ian Brown

Several pioneering families lived in the Mount Kaputar area in extremely harsh conditions. Stockmen looked after sheep and cattle on the Kaputar Plateau, often going for months without seeing another person. Enjoy a walk to the historic Scutts Hut to experience the pioneers' harsh lifestyle. The Scutt family lived in the hut in the 1940s and 50s, and it has been carefully restored to its original condition. Most of the materials to build the hut and furniture were brought in by horse - even the rainwater tank.

An ancient heritage

Views from Eckfords lookout, Mount Kaputar National Park. Photo: Rob Cleary

Mount Kaputar National Park is the traditional Country of the Gamilaroi Aboriginal people. The park provided a rich resource for food, medicines, shelter and weapons and the landscape is part of Dreaming stories. Reminders of the Gamilaroi's connection to this ancient landscape are evident in Aboriginal rock carvings, campsites, marks on trees and axe grinding grooves throughout the park.

Colourful locals

Pink Slug (Triboniophorus aff. graeffei), Mount Kaputar National Park. Photo: Rob Cleary

Mount Kaputar is famous for a very unusual, colourful local - a bright pink slug. It can be seen after rain on rocks, trees and amongst the leaf litter. With birds from both the east and west meeting together at Mount Kaputar, the park is also a wonderful place to go bird watching. More than 185 bird species live in the park, so don't forget your binoculars. A torch will also come in handy for seeing some of the other locals that come out at night, including possums and greater gliders. And watch out for the many kangaroos and wallabies, too.

  • Dawsons Spring nature trail Dawsons Spring nature trail is an easy walk from Dawsons Spring campground in Mount Kaputar National Park, near Narrabri. Great for families, you'll enjoy seasonal waterfalls, wildflowers and wildlife spotting.
  • Euglah Rock walking track Ideal for walking with kids, Euglah Rock walking track in Mount Kaputar National Park leads to a lookout offering stunning scenic views of Euglah Rock and beyond.

Action or relaxation

Verandah of Logan cabin, Mount Kaputar National Park. Photo: Simone Cottrell/OEH

Mount Kaputar National Park is packed with walks, cycling and 4WD trails, plus plenty of scenic spots for camping and picnicking. Test your mountain bike legs up the steep Mount Kaputar Road to the Kaputar Plateau, or the challenging Barraba track. Enjoy a bite to eat at a serene picnic area before walking it off as you take in the stunning scenery. Don't miss the incredible Sawn Rocks formation. There's so much to see, why not book a cabin or set up camp for a few days to make the most of your country getaway.

  • Sawn Rocks picnic area Sawn Rocks picnic area is located at the start of Sawn Rocks walking track in Mount Kaputar National Park. It’s ideal for barbecues and picnics with scenic views of North West NSW.
  • Waa Gorge picnic area Waa Gorge is one of Mount Kaputar National Park’s most stunning attractions, and this picnic area offers enough sights to enjoy the show over a long lunch.

Over 20 million years in the making

Mount Kaputar, Mount Kaputar National Park. Photo: Ian Brown

Two volcanos pushed Mount Kaputar high above the plains, and millions of years of erosion have carved a dramatic landscape of narrow valleys and steep ridges. Many of the mountains are ancient lava terraces. Experience ancient history for yourself by standing on Lindsay Rock Tops - an excellent example of a lava terrace. Or visit Sawn Rocks to see one of Australia's best examples of a spectacular rock formation called organ-piping - it really does look like a wall of giant organ pipes.

  • Bundabulla circuit walking track Bundabulla circuit walking track connects several walking tracks together. It offers a terrific bushwalking experience with places to picnic along the way and views of Mount Kaputar and surrounds.
  • Dawsons Spring nature trail Dawsons Spring nature trail is an easy walk from Dawsons Spring campground in Mount Kaputar National Park, near Narrabri. Great for families, you'll enjoy seasonal waterfalls, wildflowers and wildlife spotting.
  • Doug Sky lookout Doug Sky lookout in Mount Kaputar National Park offers scenic views over north-west NSW and Warrumbungles.
  • Kaputar scenic drive Kaputar scenic drive is a 20km driving route through dramatic landscapes, with access to lookouts, picnic spots and walking tracks.
  • Sawn Rocks walking track This easy walk beside a shady creek bed leads you to a spectacular rock formation - the unique, organ-pipe cliff face of Sawn Rocks and scenic views.
  • The Governor lookout walking track Enjoy scenic mountain views over Grattai wilderness area from The Governor lookout walking track.
  • West Kaputar Rock lookout For scenic mountain views across the wilderness of Mount Kaputar National Park, enjoy West Kaputar Rock lookout on a scenic car tour, near Narrabri.
Show more

Plants and animals protected in this park

Animals

  • A Mount Kaputar skink suns itself on rocks in Mount Kaputar National Park. Photo: Jodi Rowley © Jodi Rowley

    Kaputar rock skink (Egernia roomi)

    The critically endangered Kaputar rock skink is found only in the high rocky peaks of Mount Kaputar National Park. With one of the smallest ranges of any vertebrate in NSW, this rare reptile is at risk of extinction.

  • Southern boobook. Photo: David Cook

    Southern boobook (Ninox novaeseelandiae)

    The southern boobook, also known as the mopoke, is the smallest and most common native owl in Australia. With a musical 'boo-book' call that echoes through forests and woodlands, the southern boobook is a great one to look out for while bird watching.

  • Wedge-tailed eagle. Photo: Kelly Nowak

    Wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax)

    With a wingspan of up to 2.5m, the wedge-tailed eagle is Australia’s largest bird of prey. These Australian animals are found in woodlands across NSW, and have the ability to soar to heights of over 2km. If you’re bird watching, look out for the distinctive diamond-shaped tail of the eagle.

  • Closeup of a laughing kookaburra's head and body. Photo: Rosie Nicolai/OEH

    Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)

    Of the 2 species of kookaburra found in Australia, the laughing kookaburra is the best-known and the largest of the native kingfishers. With its distinctive riotous call, the laughing kookaburra is commonly heard in open woodlands and forests throughout NSW national parks, making these ideal spots for bird watching.

Plants

  • Wonga Wonga vine. Photo: Barry Collier

    Wonga wonga vine (Pandorea pandorana)

    The wonga wonga vine is a widespread vigorous climber usually found along eastern Australia. A variation of the plant occurs in the central desert, where it resembles a sprawling shrub. One of the more common Australian native plants, the wonga wonga vine produces bell-shaped white or yellow flowers in the spring, followed by a large oblong-shaped seed pod.

  • Grass trees, Sugarloaf State Conservation Area. Photo: Michael Van Ewijk

    Grass tree (Xanthorrea spp.)

    An iconic part of the Australian landscape, the grass tree is widespread across eastern NSW. These Australian native plants have a thick fire-blackened trunk and long spiked leaves. They are found in heath and open forests across eastern NSW. The grass tree grows 1-5m in height and produces striking white-flowered spikes which grow up to 1m long.

Environments in this park

Education resources (1)