Black Mountain (Australian Capital Territory) Mountain
Prominent Canberra hill with nature reserve and views
Wooded hill inside Canberra's nature reserve with walking tracks and the Telstra Tower near the summit. Visitors come for short hikes, native vegetation and city views.
Black Mountain (Australian Capital Territory) at a Glance#
Address: Black Mountain, Canberra, ACT, Australia
Website: https://www.nationalparks.act.gov.au/
Hours: Reserve tower/observation deck hours via Telstra Tower listings (varies)
About Black Mountain (Australian Capital Territory)#
Black Mountain is a prominent hill and nature reserve in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, situated close to the city centre. The site is a managed reserve of native bushland and a local landmark known for its views over Canberra.
Visitors use the reserve’s network of walking tracks for short hikes and wildlife viewing amid native eucalypt vegetation. The summit hosts a communications and observation tower with viewing facilities that provide panoramic views across Lake Burley Griffin and the capital.
The area has been managed as public land and nature reserve to protect remnant native vegetation and provide recreation close to the city. Infrastructure such as roads, walking tracks and the summit tower was added in the 20th century to support access and communications.
Black Mountain rises immediately adjacent to Canberra’s central area, overlooking Lake Burley Griffin and the Parliamentary Triangle, and is easily reached from the city by road and walking trails.
- Nature reserve and trails: The mountain is a protected nature reserve with native bushland and walking trails close to central Canberra, offering short hikes and city views.
What to See#
- Black Mountain Tower: A communications and observation tower near the summit that houses viewing platforms and visitor facilities, visible across Canberra and often identified as the city’s prominent landmark.
How to Get to Black Mountain (Australian Capital Territory)#
Located within Canberra; drive or take local buses to the Black Mountain Park car parks. Walks from the Australian National University and adjacent suburbs connect into the summit trails.
Tips for Visiting Black Mountain (Australian Capital Territory)#
- Walk to the summit early for the best views across Canberra and to catch sunrise colors over the lake.
- The Black Mountain Tower (Telstra Tower) has an observation deck-check opening times before heading up.
- Combine with a visit to the Australian National Botanic Gardens on the mountain's lower slopes.
Best Time to Visit Black Mountain (Australian Capital Territory)#
Best in spring and autumn for comfortable walking conditions and clear vistas over Canberra.
Weather & Climate near Black Mountain (Australian Capital Territory)#
Black Mountain (Australian Capital Territory)'s climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in January) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 0°C to 27°C. Moderate rainfall (758 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 13° - 27° | 20° | 73 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 13° - 27° | 20° | 55 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 11° - 24° | 17° | 59 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 7° - 20° | 13° | 57 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 4° - 16° | 9° | 57 mm | - | - | 2.5 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 1° - 12° | 4° | 50 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 0° - 11° | 3° | 63 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 1° - 12° | 4° | 66 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 3° - 15° | 8° | 72 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 6° - 19° | 13° | 75 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 9° - 22° | 15° | 76 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 11° - 25° | 18° | 55 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
