Challenge yourself and hike pristine bushland in Namadgi National Park, a short drive from Canberra's CBD. Named after the Aboriginal word for the mountain ranges that stretch across South-Western ACT, Namadgi National Park is home to more than 160km of well-marked walking trails. Walks include Mt Aggie, a 3km (45-minute) return from Franklin Road through Snow gums woodlands with magnificent views. For more experienced hikers, the Yerrabi walking trail to Boboyan Trig is a more challenging 4km (2 hour) return walk featuring a variety of dry and wet forest, swampy grassland, granite formations and wildflowers. The Namadgi Visitor Centre has plenty of information on the various walks and trails available featuring permanent displays that explain the geological history, flora and fauna you'll find in the park.
Explore a variety of environments at the Australian National Botanic Gardens, located at the base of Mount Ainslie. The garden features the world's largest collection of native Australian flora. There are guided walks and group tours available every day, although you can choose to explore on your own. Maps of all the trails across the 35-hectare sit are available from the visitor centre, with the Flower To Tower walk being a popular choice for avid walkers. There's also a café available onsite perfect for a cool drink or hot coffee and a snack to recharge.
Enjoy Canberra's largest aqua attraction with a scenic walk around Lake Burley Griffin. With the Bridge to Bridge walk, you'll get to see a variety of national monuments, views of Mount Ainslie, Black Mountain and the Brindabellas which are home to some of the highest peaks in Australia. The 5.1 km walk takes approximately 1 hour to complete.
Inspect more than 44,000 rare and endangered trees from more than 100 countries and soak up spectacular views of Lake Burley Griffin, the city and mountain ranges at National Arboretum Canberra. The location boasts over 20 km of walking tracks suitable for all ability levels. The Arboretum is a visionary destination that showcases Australia's commitment to sustainability and a greener future in the best possible way. There's also a giftshop and café in the main building.
Wander the wild and winding Murrumbidgee River on The Murrumbidgee Discovery Track. The river walk will take you from Point Hut Crossing in the South, through Pine Island and Kambah Pool all the way to Casuarina Sands in the North. The entire trail covers 27km, but many turn this into a series of day trips, with the 7km Kambah Pool to Pine Island trek being a particular favourite.
Meet some iconic Australian wildlife on a hike of Black Mountain. While exploring this park you can encounter 100 species of birds, 500 species of plants and as many as 5000 species of insects. There are not many other places where you'll get to see as many as 60 species of orchids! While the walk to the summit can be done from a variety of locations, the Black Mountain Summit trail is particularly popular with locals. Commencing from the carpark adjacent to the ACTEW Electricity Sub Station on Frith Road, the 3.5km trail is easy to follow and winds through bushland to the Telstra Tower lookout.
Escape the city limits and get back to nature at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, located just 45 minutes' drive from the Canberra CBD. The reserve is home to 22 marked trails that range from a quick 15-minute walk to full-day hike. The longest walk is the 8.2km Gibraltar Peak Trail and there are also regular guided activities that cover a variety of topics about the park. The quick Hanging Rock Trail will take you to a massive boulder, once used as shelter, that seems to be suspended in mid-air.
See where city meets bush on the Mount Painter Summit Walk. When it comes to stunning rural walks close to urban areas, Australia's Bush Capital has been blessed with some of the best. One of the easiest yet most rewarding hikes is the 3.7km Mount Painter Summit Walk. A comfortable, but quick-pace will get you to the top in just 20 minutes, and from there you can enjoy 360-degree views of everything from Lake Burley Griffin to the famous Brindabellas.
Be amazed with breathtaking views of the Brindabella Range on a hike of Booroomba Rocks, in Namadgi National Park. Spot a rock climber or two as you walk through tall forests with brooding granite cliffs looming overhead. Spring also happens to be the best time to enjoy the abundance of wildflowers found in this area. The walk commences from the Booroomba Rocks carpark and is approximately 8km return.
Take a trip to the beautiful village of Hall to experience one of the most frequented trails in Canberra, One Tree Hill Summit. The track is a winding 8.4km trail that is located in the village of Hall and forms part of the 145km Canberra Centenary Trail.
Soak in some of the best views of the city atop Mount Ainslie on the Mount Ainslie Summit Walk, also known as the Kokoda Memorial Trail. The hike begins behind the Australian War Memorial in Remembrance Park. The 4.5km walk is a test of fitness but around 200 people use this track every day. The beauty along every step and the reward at the top are a large part of its popularity, but the fact that it is a paved path doesn't hurt either!
Take a trip into the suburbs to find the Red Hill Lookout. For many years Red Hill was the main lookout for Canberra, and to this day it remains one of the most used urban bushwalks in Canberra. Keep your eyes peeled for local fauna as you wave through the tracks. This walk can be commenced from a number of sites around the hill but the main starting point is in the suburb of Red Hill along Mugga Way and is approximately a 4.1km return loop.
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