Namadgi National Park
- Introduction
- Fact file
- A look at the past
- Aboriginal culture
- Natural features
- Wildlife
- Department of Environment and
- Heritage (02) 6207 2900
- www.environment.act.gov.au
- Namadgi Visitor Centre
- (02) 6207 2900
- namadginationalpark@act.gov.au
- INDULGE in some serious stargazing in the crystalclear air
- JOIN a ranger-guided walk to learn about the park
- WALK across the fl owering herbfi elds in summer
- TRY a little trout fi shing in the snow-fed streams
Introduction
Rolling grassy hills unfold towards the horizon, hardy snow gums create woodlands on the subalpine slopes and higher still are alpine meadows with fragile wildflowers in season. Namadgi National Park is close to the nation’s capital, but a world away from city life. Namadgi National Park occupies more than half the Australian Capital Territory, with the south-west section of the park joining Kosciuszko National Park. Namadgi embraces tracts of wilderness, some of the highest peaks in the country (there are seven peaks over 1600 metres), rugged walking tracks and a rich Indigenous cultural heritage.
Fact file
Access
From Canberra via Tharwa then off Naas Rd (Namadgi Visitor Centre is 2 km from Tharwa); from Canberra via Tidbinbilla Rd (Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve backs onto national park)
Best Season
All year; winter can be icy and cold
Location
32 km from Canberra
Park Information
Permits
Permit required for hiking and camping in the Cotter River catchment area
Size
105 900 ha
Where to Stay
Canberra 1300 554 114
A look at the past
Pastoralists moved into the district in the 1830s, struggling to establish themselves, with isolation and the severe weather taking their toll. The remains of fences, huts and abandoned homesteads recall those pioneering days. In the 1860s gold-seekers trekked through en route to the snowy fields at Kiandra and in the Gudgenby area parts of the hard-won trail can still be seen. From the 1960s to the 1980s, space-tracking stations operated at Honeysuckle Creek and in the Orroral Valley. The national park, which protects the Cotter River catchment, the source of Canberra’s water supply, was declared in 1984.
Aboriginal culture
Rock art, campsites and quarry sites where stone was gathered are among the many clues to the long occupation of this land by Indigenous people. It is believed their history here stretches back over 20 000 years. The name Namadgi is derived from an Aboriginal word for the ranges to the south-east of Canberra.
Natural features
Namadgi is majestic mountain country through which major rivers have gouged a path. The oldest exposed rocks here, once deep below the sea, are possibly over 440 million years old. Since then, rocks have been folded and raised high to create mountains, and rugged granite formations have emerged. This is the northern end of the Australian Alps and snow falls on the higher regions of the lovely Brindabella and wild Bimberi ranges in winter.
Wildlife
Namadgi National Park is an important habitat for a wide array of animals, with more than 200 vertebrate species identified here. Of special note are threatened and rare species, including the diminutive (just 3 centimetres long) black and yellow corroboree frog, and the broad-toothed rat. More common animals are eastern grey kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and possums. The most conspicuous of the many birds are usually the brilliant crimson rosellas, pied currawongs, ravens, noisy magpies and the spotted quail-thrush.
Featured Activities in the National Park
Bushwalking
One of the best ways to appreciate the park’s beauty is along the 160 kilometres of marked walking trails, and 22 signposted walks (pick up detailed notes from the visitor centre). Some walks are quite remote and weather conditions can be extreme, so register at the visitor centre or at one of the registers within the park. The main visitor centre is on Naas Road.
Fishing
Anglers will find some good fishing but check for closed seasons for trout, and restricted areas. Live bait is not permitted.
Four-wheel driving
You will find several routes suitable for 4WDs in the northern end of the park – Mount Franklin Road as far as the access road to Bendora Dam; Two Sticks Road, which weaves its way across the top of the Brindabella Ranges to Mount Coree; Old Mill Road and Warks Road. Note that during times of bushfire danger and heavy snow, roads may be closed.
Other activities
Cyclists will find good mountain-bike riding, but must stay on fire trails or on made roads. Cycling is not permitted in the Bimberi Wilderness or on walking tracks. Horse riding is permitted on fire trails east of the Old Boboyan Road. Roads provide access to various aspects of the park, but some roads are narrow and slippery when wet. The park’s clean, clear air makes for some spectacular night-time skies so expect to do some stargazing. Take advantage of the informative ranger-guided walking tours (ask at the visitor centre for details).
Rock-climbing
Booroomba Rocks is a good area for rock-climbing enthusiasts.
Campsites
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