Australian Capital Territory Attractions Directory : Natural Attractions
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Indulge yourself and escape from the everyday in the national collection of Australian plants.
See the rare and the beautiful. Hear the native birdsong. Walk our winding paths. Explore the Rainforest Gully, the Rock Garden, the Eucalypt Lawn and the Mallee Shrublands on marked trails. Browse Canberra's best range of nature publications at the Botanical Bookshop. Then relax in Canberra's most popular garden cafe, Hudson's in the Gardens.
Enjoy views of Parliament House, Lake Burley Griffin and the Australian Institute of Sport. From this lookout, you can see the Brindabellas, the city centre and Mount Ainslie. Further up Black Mountain is Telstra Tower with 360 degree views over Canberra. Follow one of the many marked walking trails to see a wide range of native plants and animals.
For a spectacular 360 degree view of Canberra and surrounds visit Black Mountain Tower (formerly known as Telstra Tower).
The Tower rises 195 metres above the summit of Black Mountain, not far from the city centre. It is open both day and night and if you like your food with a view, you can dine at Alto Restaurant. The Tower is more than a landmark and viewing gallery – it provides state-of-the-art telecommunications facilities for Canberra. See the Making Connections exhibition tracing the hi...
The Park consists of 27 separate native bushland and grassland reserves throughout urban Canberra which provide many opportunities for walking. Some of the areas which make up the park are: Jerrabomberra Wetlands, Pinnacle Nature Trail, Remembrance Nature Park, Black Mountain, Mulligans Flat, Urambi Hills Nature Trail, Mt Ainslie, The Pinnacle and Cooleman Ridge.
Track 1: Ngunnawal Country Take this new self-drive Aboriginal heritage trail which connects many sites by well appointed onsite signage. Grab a Canberra Tracks information brochure from the Canberra and Region Visitors Centre and journey into the human story of Indigenous presence in the nation’s capital. See how Indigenous people have lived here for at least 20,000 years surviving through intricate knowledge of the landscape, skillful custodianship of the land and ...
The Canberra Walk In Aviary is located 15 minutess from the city centre in the craft village of Federation Square. There are over 50 varieties of birds, including over 200 Australian parrots and 350 finches. The Aviary allows its visitors to feed the native birds in their natural environment.
Casuarina Sands is a great place to picnic and relax along the Murrumbidgee River. Visitors can have a barbeque, swim in the river or stroll upstream to the historic pumping station. For the energetic there is a 14km marked walk along the river with the spectacular Bullen Range to Kambah Pool. Allow eight hours one way. No dogs allowed.
A leisurely marked walk along the river's edge returning over Moore's Hill with views of the surrounding area. Allow one and a half hours return. No dogs allowed.
Secluded spot at the edge of Gibraltar Creek Pine Forest with picnic tables, barbecues and camping area at Woods Reserve. Phone ACT Forests on above number for information and particulars on camping.
This 7 km marked walking trail is especially scenic and easily accessible. The magnificent Red Rocks Gorge can by accessed via a short side trail about half way between Kambah Pool and Pine Island. Allow approximately three hours one way. Pick up a pamphlet a short way along the trail. No dogs allowed.
The Lanyon historic precinct is set in a landscape of great natural beauty. Stroll in the rambling gardens, visit the restored 1850's homestead and the courtyard buildings. Changing exhibitions focus on aspects of Australian country life. A wide range of interactive educational and community programs are also available. Cafe and gift shop on site.
Mount Ainslie Lookout is the perfect place to view the unique layout of Canberra, especially the magnificent Land Axis which forms a key feature of the original 1912 plan for Canberra by Walter Burley Griffin. Views from the lookout encompass the parliamentary triangle, Lake Burley Griffin, many of Canberra's National Attractions and the mountain ranges that surround the city. Views of the Australian War Memorial, Anzac Parade and Parliament House are especially good from this lookout. Drive, ...
Not far from Mount Ainslie, Mount Pleasant offers beautiful views over Lake Burley Griffin, the Duntroon Royal Military College and Jerrabomberra Wetlands. Visit the grave of General Bridges, Australia’s highest ranking soldier in World War I, who is the only Australian soldier killed at Gallipoli to be buried in Australia.
The Murrumbidgee River flows for 66km through the ACT and there are scenic walks along its banks. Natural beaches provide settings for picnics and swimming. In some places, impressive cliffs and gorges have formed.
Pialligo Estate Wines vineyard and tasting room are located in picturesque Pialligo, only 5 minutes away from the centre of Canberra with remarkable views of Parliament House and other national icons.
Enjoy tasting our award-winning cool climate wines, including Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling and Sangiovese. Delicious a la carte lunches are served in the tasting room, or alfresco.
Wander through the rose garden, the vineyard, down to the river and olive grove.
This marked trail passes through open grassland with views of the Murrumbidgee River. Allow two hours return. Pick up a pamphlet a short way along the trail. No dogs allowed.
South of the city centre, Red Hill offers a lookout over many of our national icons. In autumn, the brilliant reds and oranges of the deciduous trees in the suburbs below are stunning. Relax in the kiosk and restaurant or do some bird watching. The eucalypt hollows are the favourite nesting places of white-throated treecreepers and southern boobooks. Red Hill Lookout provides sweeping vistas of Canberra from the south. The lookout is directly above a golf course and the restaurant and cafe hav...
Commemorates the signing of the armistice on 11 November 1918 and the Aboriginal people who served in the armed forces. Walk through the park from the Australian War Memorial and join up with the Mt Ainslie Summit Trail. This sealed trail has a series of interpretive signs.
A short leisurely walk through Woodstock Nature Reserve with spectacular views of the Murrumbidgee River and the surrounding area from the Cantilever lookout.
See emus and kangaroos graze freely side by side at the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, just forty five minutes drive from Canberra city.
The Tidbinbilla Nature Discovery Sanctuary allows visitors to experience the region’s wildlife in a natural setting. There are no fences between visitors and animals. See koalas, the endangered brush-tail wallaby, reptiles, possums and echidnas. This unique outdoor attraction features high quality exhibits, boardwalks and plenty of wildlife.
An easy 5 km marked loop walk that follows the Murrumbidgee before it joins up with the Molonglo River, returning through open grazing country. Pick up a pamphlet a short way along the trail. No dogs allowed.