Possibly the oldest Quonset in the world - Quonset Huts on Waymarking.com

Pre-fabricated in Melbourne, Australia in 1855, the pieces were transported to New Plymouth's Marsland Hill to be reconstructed as military barracks for the British Regiments fighting in the Taranaki Land Wars, and later by the Armed Constabulary. From 1874 the barracks were also used to provide temporary housing for immigrants. By 1891 the building fell into a state of disrepair and it was dismantled.

In 1891 part of the dismantled barrack building was sledded to North Egmont for the purpose of providing accommodation to climbers on the mountain. It was named Tahurangi House on its formal opening in 1892. It then became known as the Old House in 1913 when additional accommodation was added (later demolished), before finally becoming the Camphouse in 1977. Today it still provides accommodation for hikers and climbers in Egmont National Park.

Its military past is still evident today - rifle firing slits in the corrugated iron (called loopholes) can still be seen on the exterior and in parts of the interior.

Additions: See New Zealand Department of Conservation website http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/historic/by-region/wanganui/north-egmont-camphouse/ for more details Hut Type: Nissen Year of fabrication (if known): 1855 Is the Quonset Hut currently in use?: Yes Physical Address: North Egmont Road end Egmont National Park New Plymouth, Taranaki New Zealand 4372

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Date Logged Log User Rating   09/19/2009 Punga and Paua visited it 09/13/2009 Phronimos visited it

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