Canberra & Namadgi NP Basecamp

This is our first exploratory basecamp to Canberra, the Namadgi National Park, and the adjoining Brindabella National Park, and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Although Cathy & I have visited Canberra a couple of times in recent years, we are not familiar with the rest of the ACT to the south.

 We will be car/tent/camper-trailer camping (although carry on reading to the end of this paragraph if this doesn't suit **). The campgrounds unfortunately don't have cabins. We will use at least two camping locations in the park, depending on the walks that we choose to do. Some camps in the park have only basic facilities. It is likely that we will use Honeysuckle Creek Camp (50km south of Canberra) and Cotter Camp (24km west of Canberra). Maybe Mt Clear Camp in the south (80 km south of Canberra). It’s a bit of a balance between being close to our walks/minimising distance versus minimising relocations. More details to follow. ** You would be welcome to join us if you found more suitable alternative accommodation. You would either meet us at camp and car-pool to the start of the walk, or meet at the start of the walk. Some walks will be further from Canberra compared with the campsite.

 All walks will be day walks, and most will involve a drive from camp. We will not be doing multi-day pack carry hikes. There will be a mixture of walking grades so that we can enjoy some easier days. There may be a car shuffle. Some of the walks will be rated medium-hard. Expect conditions such as: steep hills; exposed rocky paths; light rock scrambling; cliffs; no shelter; poor visibility; sustained ascent; walking along steep exposed ridge.

Expect to encounter unsealed roads. However , we will not be driving on 4WD tracks.

Here is a selection (from a large list) of walks available (in no particular order). In some cases the walk is only recommended for fine weather due to navigation difficulties. The walks range in grade from easy to ‘hard’ (depending on which source you use). I would like to ‘tick-off’ some peaks and visit the Brindabella and Tidbinbilla Ranges in particular, along with visiting the southern edge of the park (and ACT), and maybe the Tinderry Mountains.

• Mt Tennent Fire Trail 13.7km 740m^ elevation gain 5hrs (according to AllTrails)
• Grassy Creek Loop 14km 334m^ elevation gain 4hrs 
• Yankee Hat Rock Art site 6km 168m^ 
• Tidbinbilla Ridge 19km 7.5hrs
• Murrumbidgee River/Kambal Pool easy/medium (close to Canberra)
• Orroral Valley 12km 4hrs
• Camels Hump (Tidbinbilla) 12.5km 540m^ 5hrs
• Gibralter Rocks/Devils Gap (Tidbinbilla) 10km 3.5hrs
• Black Mountain 4km 200m^ (combine with visit to Australian National Botanical Gardens)
• Mt Gingera 14km 312m^ 6 hrs (Brindabella Range)
• Tinderry Twin Peak 13km 760m^ 6hrs
• Mt Coree 6km 263m^ 2hrs
• Bendora Arboretum walk (Brindabella Range)
• Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
• Cooleman Ridge to Mt Arawang 8km 229m^ 2hrs (close to south-west Canberra)

 There are lots of walks to enjoy closer to Canberra. Cathy & I are going to extend our stay and visit the attractions of the city at the end of the basecamp. You would be welcome to join us. We may end up relocating again to a “holiday park” closer to the city.

• Googong Dam (short Canberra walk)
• Lake Jerrabomberra (short Canberra walk)
• Isaacs Ridge Nature Reserve (short Canberra walk)
• Lake Tuggeranong Circuit (short Canberra walk)
• Cotter Discovery Trail (near Cotter Camp)

In summary, more details to follow. Final choice of walks to be decided.

Final location of accommodation and dates to be decided. Accommodation will be located in remote National Park campsites, and we may relocate at least once to suit the walks we would like to do. Camping equipment required. Expect some road conditions to be unsealed. 

More details to follow.

As always, please feel free to comment, make suggestions and ask questions.