Brindabella National Park has something for everyone – whether you’re into fishing, four-wheel driving or hiking. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
For a fun-filled day trip from Canberra that offers brilliant views, exciting four-wheel drive tracks, remote walking tracks and numerous fishing opportunities, you can’t go past Brindabella National Park. It’s just a short drive from Canberra but delivers the full remote alpine bush experience without the need to travel too far from home.
Brindabella National Park is in the most northerly section of the Australian Alps national parks corridor, only 30km from Canberra along Brindabella Road. The magnificent mountains of the Brindabella Range that can be seen from many parts of the ACT are a highlight of the park.
Why you’ll love it
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Opportunities to get up close to all kinds of fauna
Brindabella is home to a diverse range of native animals that are unique to this part of the Alps, including several threatened species. Eastern grey kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, possums, gliders, echidnas and water rats all make their homes here, and there are also reptiles including lizards and snakes. See if you can spot a few of the 80-odd species of bird live in the park, including the peregrine falcon, powerful owl and pink robin, the latter two belonging to a threatened species. Remember to bring your binoculars!
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Brilliant four-wheel driving trails
The National Park has an extensive network of challenging four-wheel trails, with plenty of unique mountain terrain to explore. The park is an excellent location for registered four-wheel drive touring. The tracks are mostly suitable for trail biking and there are also opportunities for mountain bike riding.
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Scenic views galore
There’s plenty of unique mountain terrain to explore in the park, through forests and across ridgelines with scenic views of the entire Brindabella range. There are superb views to be had in the park from many of the trails. On a clear day, you can see Canberra in the distance and across the distant ranges to the south. Head up to the top of Mt Coree for superb views of the surroundings.
The chance to rediscover history
The park features several historic sites to explore, including the remains of a network of alpine huts that could once be found throughout the region. Check out McIntyres Hut on the Goodradigbee River. Bag Range Hut lookout is another interesting historical landmark.
Brindabella National Park has spiritual significance to Aboriginal people. The park lies within the tribal boundaries of the Ngunnawal, Wallaloo and Wiradjuri people and Mt Coree is named after the Aboriginal word for moth. Before European settlement, the area was a hunting ground for Bogong moths.
Enjoy a pristine natural environment
Much of the park consists of a forest of red stringybark and scribbly gum, with several other types of gums evident throughout the forest. There are gorgeous spots to have a picnic, do a spot of fishing, take a walk, or just soak up the sights and sounds of nature.
Getting there
First things first – you’ll need a four-wheel drive vehicle. Once that is sorted, travel west out of Canberra along Uriarra Road until you come to Brindabella Road, where the dirt road starts. This will take you to the southern edge of the national park.
When to go
Spring is a terrific time to make the most of mild weather and check out the spring wildflowers as you explore the area. Autumn in the park is also lovely. Snow often falls on the ranges in winter and can occur throughout most areas of the park, so it’s best not to attempt the dirt tracks in winter.
Key details
- Distance from Canberra: about 30km west of Canberra along the Brindabella Road
- Recommended for: four-wheel driving, walking, fishing, photography, exploring history, enjoying flora and fauna, birdwatching and cycling.
- More information: Yass Valley
Have you explored Brindabella National Park? Let us know about your experience.
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