Namadgi National Park

A vast national park south of Canberra encompassing mountains, pristine bushland, and Aboriginal cultural sites with excellent hiking opportunities. Mount Tennent and other peaks offer rewarding walks with panoramic views and encounters with native wildlife.

Things to do

• Mount Tennent Summit Walk — A moderately challenging 5.5 km return hike to the second-highest peak in the ACT offering panoramic views across the Brindabella Ranges and Canberra beyond.
• Thimble Peak Walk — A scenic 6 km circuit walk featuring rocky outcrops, eucalyptus woodland, and excellent vantage points for spotting native wildlife including kangaroos and kookaburras.
• Yankee Hat Aboriginal Rock Art Site — An accessible walk to view ancient hand stencils and ochre artwork created by the Ngaragu people, providing insight into 1,200 years of cultural heritage.
• Booroomba Rocks Walk — A 4 km return trek through wet gullies and open woodland leading to impressive granite rock formations and a natural waterhole.
• Orroral Valley Loop Drive — A scenic 30 km unsealed loop drive through pristine bushland with multiple short walking trails and opportunities to spot brumbies and native birds.
• Tharwa Bridge Historic Site — A heritage walk to Australia's oldest surviving wooden bridge (1895) spanning the Murrumbidgee River with interpretive displays on early European settlement.

Food to try

• Native Finger Limes — Small citrus fruits foraged or purchased locally with pearl-like juice vesicles that burst with tart citrus flavour, often used in modern Australian bush tucker cuisine.
• Canberra Region Wines — Cool-climate wines from nearby Canberra wine district including Riesling and Shiraz, available at visitor facilities and local cellar doors within an hour's drive.
• Wattleseed Bush Tucker — Ground acacia seeds with a nutty, coffee-like flavour used in contemporary Australian cooking and available at local markets and specialty food shops in Canberra.
• Freshwater Trout — Rainbow and brown trout caught from the park's pristine mountain streams, often prepared simply grilled at picnic areas or nearby accommodation.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect Ngaragu Country — Acknowledge that Namadgi is on Ngaragu (Ngunnawel) Country and show respect by following designated paths, not disturbing rock art sites, and learning about Indigenous history at visitor centres.
• Water Conservation — The park experiences low rainfall; carry sufficient water for hikes and use facilities sparingly, reflecting the region's water scarcity and environmental conservation practices.
• Seasonal Access Planning — Winter snow can close higher elevation roads and walking tracks; check park alerts before visiting and plan accordingly as conditions change rapidly in the mountains.
• Leave No Trace Ethic — Pack all rubbish, stay on marked trails to protect fragile alpine vegetation, and avoid removing plants or artifacts as part of the strict wilderness protection culture.