Namadgi National Park

• Whats new  
• New plan of management
• Heritage sites
• Bushwalking
• Personal Locator Beacons (PLB)
• camping
• campfires
• wild dogs 
• domestic dogs 
• Mountain Biking
• Scenic driving and motorised bikes
• fishing
• horse riding
• enjoying the snow
• organised events and activities

Whats New     

• All walking tracks, campgrounds and picnic areas within Namadgi National Park are now open. (17 march 2012)

Explore Namadgi

With remote wilderness experiences; a wide range of natural environments; an abundance of native wildlife; and Aboriginal and European cultural sites, there are many reasons to visit Namadgi National Park - and it’s so close to Canberra!

Namadgi was declared a national park in 1984 and covers 106,095 hectares. It is situated at the crossroads for a range of plant communities from alpine, inland tablelands and coastal environments, and within a short walk, vegetation and wildlife can change dramatically. Habitats range from broad, grassy plains in the valleys to Alpine Ash forests on the slopes and Snow Gum woodlands and subalpine meadows on the mountain peaks. Alpine environments are rare in Australia, covering a tiny 0.15% of the continent. Namadgi is the most northern park of the Australian Alps national parks  The Bimberi Wilderness comprises the western third of Namadgi (28,900 hectares) and an adjoining area in NSW. You can view this rugged area from Mt Ginini, Mt Franklin Road or Yerrabi Walking Track which starts off Boboyan Road 36 kilometres south of the Namadgi Visitor Centre .

New Plan of Management

The Namadgi National Park Plan of Management 2010 was tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly and commenced on 24 September 2010.  

Heritage Sites

Namadgi is the Ngunnawal word for the mountain range to the south-west of Canberra where many sites of significance, stone tools, quarry sites, stone arrangements and rock art have been discovered. These sites provide direct connections for the Ngunnawal people to their ancestors and Country. 

There are also numerous examples of early European influence in the area, including pastoralists, ski clubs, foresters and even space industry workers! For an insight into the early settlers of the area, walk the 9 km Settlers Track in southern Namadgi. The walking track passes many historic sites including huts and homesteads, fences and yards. Features include signs, seats, marker posts and bridges fashioned in the tradition of post and rail fencing. Gudgenby Ready-Cut Cottage, located in Gudgenby Valley in Namadgi National Park, is an example of early prefabricated (ready-cut) kit homes made by George Hudson Ltd. of Sydney. The kit home was purchased by A W Bootes and constructed in 1927. It is an important local example of early prefabricated design, construction and techniques and provides a glimpse into the early European pastoralists lifestyle. Gudgenby Ready-Cut Cottage was restored by the Kosciuszko Huts Association  with assistance from Namadgi National Park staff and an ACT Government Heritage Grant in 2005.  In 2009 the cottage hosted an Artist in Residency program. 

Bush Walking

Walking is the most popular way to explore the park. Notes on the park’s 160 kilometres of marked walking tracks can be found in the Namadgi Map and Guide available at the Namadgi Visitor Centre shop.

Well-prepared walkers who venture into remote parts of Namadgi reap some of the park’s greatest rewards. All remote area parties should record the details of their trip in the bushwalking registers located in the park. Walking off marked tracks requires expertise with a map and compass. Warm and waterproof clothing is always required as mountain weather can change unexpectedly at any time of the year. 

• A Brief Guide to Namadgi National Park ( PDF 717Kb)
• Granite Tors Walking Track Notes ( PDF 835Kb)
• Naas Valley to Horse Gully Hut Walking Track Brochure ( PDF 1.5Mb)
• Settlers Track ( PDF 1.2Mb)
• Square Rock Walking Track Brochure ( PDF 628Kb)
• Yankee Hat Rock Art Walking Track Brochure ( PDF 637Kb)
• Yerrabi Walking Track Brochure ( PDF 714Kb)

Personal Locator Beacons (PLB)

Namadgi Visitor Centre has five GPS-equipped  PLB available for hire to give visitors that extra peace of mind when exploring Namadgi.

We strongly encourage people to take a sensible approach to their own safety whilst enjoying the expanse of the National Park by taking along a PLB.  PLB's  are an essential piece of safety equipment for hikers and other adventurers such as rock climbers and bushwalkers.  In the event of a serious accident, illness or emergency, the PLB can be activated, sending a distress signal to emergency services authorities together with a precise GPS location of the device.  Emergency personnel can then be dispatched immediately to the persons location rather than mounting an expensive search and rescue operation across a wide area. This significantly improves rescue times and could possibly be the difference when a life is concerned.  It is reassuring to know that if anything did go seriously wrong, it will be much easier to rescue you.  The Visitors Centre received extensive support for their decision to provide the PLBs from Emergency Service Agencies, Australian Federal Police and Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

Cost:  It only costs $25 per hire for up to five days and $50 for up 10 days. 

How to Hire:  Contact the Visitor Centre on 6207 2900 or visit in person during operating hours.

Misuse: While essential for serious injury or mishap, walkers and adventurers should note there are serious penalties for deliberate misuse.

Fequently asked Questions:   Some  frequently asked questions ( PDF 181Kb) .

Camping

• Camping in Namadgi National Park
• Brochure:Camping in the ACT ( PDF 2.7Mb)
• Map:Campgrounds and Picnic Areas in Namadgi—Map ( PDF 397Kb)
• A Brief Guide to Namadgi National Park ( PDF 717Kb)
• Other Campgrounds in the ACT 

Campfires

All fires in the ACT including campfires are regulated by law. Fire permits are required for campfires all year round except in officially constructed fireplaces. Always ensure fires are fully extinguished on departure. Help protect Namadgi’s sensitive environment by observing fire regulations and use fuel stoves instead, so bush wood can be left for wildlife habitats and soil renewal. Fuel Stove Only areas are those close to public roadways, carparks, walking tracks, huts, ecologically sensitive sites and in the Cotter River Catchment. Total Fire Bans prohibit all fires (wood or gas) including fuel stoves and all existing permits are automatically cancelled. Solid Fuel Bans may apply periodically, which includes wood, briquettes, tablets and other solid fuels but permits gas and electric heating and cooking.

Wild Dogs

Wild Dogs occur in low numbers throughout the Australian Alps. Wild dogs include dingoes, domestic dogs-run-wild, and hybrids of the two. Although not often seen they can sometimes be heard howling at night. Although incidents of wild dogs interacting with people in Namadgi are extremely rare, they may become accustomed to people if visitors do not observe the advice on wild dogs to discourage these animals from becoming less feaful of humans. Report any incidents to the Namadgi Visitor Centre on (02) 6207 2900.

Domestic Dogs

Dogs are not allowed in Namadgi National Park and are also now prohibited in the Gibraltar Forest Regeneration Area formerly known as Gibraltar Pines east of Corin Road. Dogs are permitted on-lead at the Woods Reserve campsite. The Gibraltar Forest Regeneration Area to the west of Corin Road is a dog off-leash exercise area, and there are also many other areas in the ACT where you can take your dog.

Mountain Biking

There are several hundred kilometres of scenic mountain trails to explore in Namadgi National Park. Cycling is permitted on all fire trails other than those in the Bimberi Wilderness. Bicycles are not permitted off the fire trails whether in open or forested areas. Walking tracks and single tracks are for walkers only.  Remember to carry water, repair gear and be prepared for sudden changes of weather.

• Mountain Biking in Namadgi and Brindabella National Parks ( PDF 495Kb)

Scenic Driving and Motorised Biking

Public roads within the park pass through majestic mountain country, providing access to nature for everyone. The unsealed roads are narrow and can be slippery when wet or frosty. Roads may be closed because of snow, floods and Total Fire Bans. Petrol is available in Canberra, Tharwa and Adaminaby but not in the park. Trail bike riding is not allowed off public roads in the park.

Fishing

Fishing is prohibited in the Cotter River catchment upstream of the Bendora Dam wall, the Cotter River and reservoir up to the junction with Pierce’s Creek, and the Orroral River upstream of the Honeysuckle to Orroral management trail. Fishing is allowed in all other streams (classified as trout waters) but is subject to a closed season from the long weekend in June to the beginning of the long weekend in October. Gear/bait restrictions and size/bag limits also apply. Only artificial fly and lure fishing is allowed as live bait could lead to the introduction of alien species. More infomation on fishing in the ACT is here. 

Horseriding

Horseriding is permitted on fire trails east of the Old Boboyan Road. The National Bicentennial Trail passes through Namadgi on the Naas River Fire Trail. Before riding, contact the Namadgi Visitor Centre for information and to arrange access and use of yards and camping areas.

Enjoying the Snow

Snow can fall over any part of the park but is most common on the Bimberi and Brindabella Ranges. In winter, the Mt Franklin Road is open as long as snow conditions permit and, if accessible, the area beyond can be suitable for cross-country skiing. The Brindabella and Mt Franklin Roads can be hazardous in winter and care should be taken, as help is not always available when cars run into trouble. Chains may be required. Contact the Namadgi Visitor Centre for details prior to departure.  

Organised Events and Recreational User Groups

All events and organised activities regardless of their size or complexity, conducted in Namadgi National Park require prior approval. Contact the Public Use Team for further information. There are a number of recreational and community groups that organise activities within Namadgi National Park.