Qantas Huts facts for kids

The Qantas Huts are old buildings on West Island in Australia. They used to be places where people could stay. These huts are now special because they are on the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List. This means they are important to Australia's history and are protected. They were added to this list on June 22, 2004.

History of the Qantas Huts

The Qantas Huts have an interesting story connected to air travel.

Australian Control and Airfield Development

In 1951, the Australian Government took control of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. That same year, the government bought about 150 hectares (370 acres) of land. This land was needed to build an airfield, which is like an airport for planes.

Early Flights Across the Indian Ocean

Before World War II, it was hard to fly long distances. Planes often needed to stop for fuel. In 1939, a pilot named Captain Taylor showed that special planes called Catalina flying boats could cross the Indian Ocean. They just needed places to refuel along the way.

During World War II, a Royal Air Force group used these planes for secret trips. They flew between the Indian Ocean and Perth, Australia. These flights often lasted 28 hours without stopping. The planes would refuel at the Cocos (Keeling) Islands when they carried heavy loads.

Qantas and the Cocos Islands

In the 1940s, Qantas Empire Airways also used Catalina planes. They flew to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands sometimes. After 1952, the airstrip on the islands was made better. This allowed bigger planes like Qantas's Constellations and Stratocruisers to land and take off.

Qantas, and later South African Airways, used the islands as a stop. This was for flights between Perth, Australia, and Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Huts' Purpose in the 1960s

In 1955, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands became an Australian territory. In the 1960s, something important happened. Indonesia declared that its airspace was "out of bounds." This meant Australian planes could not fly over Indonesia.

Because of this, thousands of passengers flying from Australia to South Africa had to stop on West Island. The Qantas Huts were built to give these passengers a place to stay overnight. This was while their large planes were refuelled for the next part of their journey.

What the Qantas Huts Look Like

The Qantas Huts are located on Sydney Highway on West Island. They are near the road called Clunies Ross Avenue.

Building Materials and Design

The huts are made of timber (wood) frames. Their outside walls are covered with asbestos cement. They are raised off the ground on concrete stumps. Each building has a verandah (a covered porch) facing north. Inside, each building has six rooms.

Condition Over Time

In 1996, the buildings were thought to be in good shape. By 2000, some changes had been made. A new verandah was added, and solid double doors were put in. These new timber doors are not considered to match the original style of the huts.

Why the Qantas Huts are Important

The Former Qantas Huts are important for a few reasons.

A Stop for Long Flights

They show a time in Australian aviation (flying) history when planes needed to stop for fuel. Flights between Perth and Johannesburg were very long. The Cocos (Keeling) Islands were a necessary refuelling point over the Indian Ocean. The huts provided a place for passengers to rest during these stops.

Impact of Airspace Changes

The huts are also connected to the 1960s. This was when Indonesia closed its airspace to Australian planes. This forced Australian commercial and military aircraft to refuel at the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The huts were vital for passengers on these changed routes to South Africa.

Rare Examples of Accommodation

The Former Qantas Huts are rare. They are one of the few examples of short-term accommodation for travellers. This type of lodging was specifically for passengers on international flights that needed to refuel over the Indian Ocean in the 1960s.