Eco experiences in Australia’s Capital City

Located in the northern region of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Canberra offers some of the world’s best eco experiences. Nearly half of the land in Canberra encompasses the Namadgi National Park, a geographically diverse region that is home to the Brindabella mountain ranges, hundreds of wildlife species and an Aboriginal culture that dates back 25,000 years.

Here are four unparalleled eco adventures that you can only experience while visiting Canberra, Australia’s Capital City:

An Aboriginal Adventure in the Australian Alps

At the northern tip of the Australian Alps sits the Brindabella Ranges, a mountainous alpine land that stretches from the ACT’s Namadgi National Park to New South Wales. You will find an array of options for exploring this rich region on the numerous hiking, biking and cross-country skiing trails. Namadgi also provides a true Australian immersion experience. Thousands of Aboriginal people used the lands for hunting, fishing, trading and sacred ceremonies. Ranger-guided tours and activities let you experience a few of the more than 3,000 heritage sites, which include ancient rock art paintings, tool grinding grooves, rock shelter homesteads, scarred trees, ceremonial grounds and intricate stone arrangements.

Take a Torchlight Nature Reserve Tour

Bordering Namadgi is the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, which includes 14 protected natural habitats ringed by majestic mountains. The wetlands, grasslands and woodlands found in this picturesque valley are home to an abundant amount of wildlife, ranging from wallaroos and koalas to long-nosed potoroos and colorful parrots. Attracting almost 240,000 visitors annually, the ecotourism award-winning region is designed to “inspire and challenge your spirit of adventure,” notes the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve website.

While there are many experiences to choose from, you will not want to miss Tidbinbilla by Torchlight, a five-hour bushwalking tour that starts at dusk. After feasting on a gourmet BBQ dinner, you will venture into the teeming forest to have close encounters with the nocturnal wildlife. Tour buses depart directly from Canberra hotels and a portion of your ticket price directly supports Tidbinbilla’s endangered species breeding programs.

Go Down Under at Wee Jasper

It takes a little more than an hour to reach Wee Jasper from Canberra, but the scenic drive offers spectacular views of the limestone river flats and preserved early 1800s architecture along the way. The western side of the Brindabella Ranges is a geographical wonder that offers fossil viewing and underground cave tours. Carey’s Cave, one of the most fascinating tour cave systems in Australia, provides unique opportunities to interact with the underground environment. The seven spacious chambers are filled with breathtaking sculpted rocks and crystal formations. In addition to tours, touch tables and stalactite-growing experiments, you can attend a spectacular acoustic concert, theater production or wedding.

Boating Along Lake Burley Griffin

In the heart of Canberra sits Lake Burley Griffin, or simply LBG as the local call it. The shoreline of this man-made lake is filled with national institutions, popular recreational parklands and a wide variety of flora and fauna. The kayaking, sailing and dragon boating experiences are only rivaled by paddling a surf ski across the lake. Hour-long lake cruises also introduce you to Canberra’s best kept secrets in the most memorable way.

Images courtesy © Visit Canberra and Kim Wilkinson

Words: Visit Canberra

ENQUIRIES:

Canberra and Region Visitors Centre
330 Northbourne Ave, Dickson ACT
Open 9am-5pm weekdays
9am-4pm weekends and public holidays, closed Christmas Day
Phone: 1300 554 114 (within Australia)
If you’re calling from overseas use +61 2 6205 0044

www.VisitCanberra.com.au 

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