Namadgi National Park Park

Address: Namadgi National Park, Australian Capital Territory (access via Canberra/Tharwa and multiple entry points)

Website: https://www.nationalparks.act.gov.au/parks/namadgi

Hours: Open daily (daylight hours); visitor centre hours vary seasonally

Admission: Free entry to the park. Fees apply for camping, huts and some activities (bookings/permits required).

Namadgi National Park is a protected high-country area in the Australian Capital Territory, established as a national park in 1984 to conserve natural and cultural values.

The area has long-standing Aboriginal cultural significance and later saw pastoral and grazing use before being protected as a national park in the late 20th century. Management since gazettal has focused on conservation, fire management and visitor access.

Namadgi lies to the south-west of Canberra within the Australian Capital Territory, encompassing rugged hills and river valleys that form the western part of the territory.

• Establishment: Gazetted as a national park in 1984 and managed for conservation, cultural heritage, and recreation.
• High point: Contains the highest point in the Australian Capital Territory at 1,913 metres, popular with bushwalkers and backcountry hikers.

What to See#

• Bimberi Peak: The highest point in the park at 1,913 metres and the tallest peak in the Australian Capital Territory; the summit is reached by marked walking tracks and is a destination for longer hikes.
• Yankee Hat rock art: An Aboriginal rock-art and shelter site with painted motifs that is open to visitors via a short walk from a designated carpark; it is one of the park’s well-known cultural sites.

Namadgi National Park lies southwest of Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory. It is best reached by car from Canberra - driving distances to the park boundary are typically around 40-60 km (roughly 30-60 minutes) depending on which entrance you use; common approaches use Cotter Road/ Uriarra Road or Naas Road and then park at designated visitor areas/trailheads. There is no regular public transport into the park; plan to drive in and use the park’s roads and walking tracks.

• Namadgi is the ACT's large national park directly south-west of Canberra-visit in spring for wildflower displays and milder temperatures, and avoid the peak heat of summer when some higher trails can be uncomfortable.
• Check the Parks ACT website (or local park alerts) before you go for current road closures, fire bans and controlled burns; access to parts of Namadgi is regularly affected by seasonal hazard management, and some tracks may be closed at short notice.
• Start walks early in the day for the best chance to see wildlife and to avoid afternoon weather changes; services inside the park are limited, so fuel and supplies are best arranged in Canberra before entering the park.