What to do and see in Australian Capital Territory, Australia: The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas

June 19, 2021 Madelene Haan

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT; known as the Federal Capital Territory until 1938) is Australia's federal district, located in the south-east of the country and enclaved within the state of New South Wales. It contains Canberra, the capital city of Australia.
Restaurants in Australian Capital Territory

1. Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

Paddys River Rd, Canberra 2620 Australia +61 2 6207 7921 [email protected] http://www.tidbinbilla.act.gov.au
Excellent
80%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 307 reviews

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is nestled at the base of the Tidbinbilla Range, and is only a 40 minute drive south-west of Canberra’s city centre. Located within the reserve is a Sanctuary of five ponds and weirs abundant with wildlife including platypus. There is an over 80% chance of seeing these rare and usually elusive animals! Other native animals you may encounter include koalas, emus, kangaroos and many bird and reptile species. Tidbinbilla is also a leader in conservation with a breeding program focusing on the Northern Corroboree Frog, Southern Brush-Tailed Rock-Wallaby and the Eastern Bettong. Tidbinbilla has a rich cultural landscape dating back over 25 000 years and is the traditional Country of the Ngunnawal people. The Tidbinbilla Valley also reflects the European history of the area with historic homesteads and evidence of farming scattered throughout the reserve. Unique accommodation is available at one of the historic homesteads, Nils Desperandum.

Reviewed By gregoryd762

This place has been on our radar for years, but this was our first opportunity to visit. Good visitor center, excellent maps of walks and attractions. We spent over 2 hours walking around the Sanctuary-absolutely beautiful, with lots of widlife - and also walked up to Hanging Rock and the Rock Valley homestead ruins. So many great walks to do- we will definitely come back on future trips to Canberra homestead ruins

2. Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary

Justice Kelly Street Corner of Quinane Avenue, 2914 Australia [email protected] http://www.mulligansflat.org.au
Excellent
93%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
1%
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5.0 based on 90 reviews

Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary

Step back in time and experience Australia's woodlands before clearing and introduced predators took its unique woodland wildlife. Enter the protective predator-proof fence of the sanctuary and watch Echidnas waddle, wildflowers bloom and rare marsupials hop. Mulligans Flat is a sanctuary at the forefront of Australian wildlife conservation. Protecting the largest patch of Box Gum Grassy Woodlands in the world, they work by 'restoring nature, transforming thinking and inspiring action for conservation'. Here locally extinct animals like the Eastern Bettong and Eastern Quoll have been reintroduced to Mulligans Flat, after being absent from mainland Australia for 100 years. It is the only place in Canberra where you can see these critters in the wild. Book a guided Twilight Tour via our website, or download our app for a daytime audio experience.

Reviewed By rossh812 - Unawatuna, Sri Lanka

Brilliant !!! The Twilight tour is a must for all. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable & passionate about Mulligan's Woodlands it's work in re establishing native wildlife. We where lucky to spot Wallabies. Eastern Bettong, Tawny Frogmouth "owl" , Possums & possibly a sugar glider. This is up there with washing elephants. A must do in Canberra

3. Canberra Nature Park

Canberra Australia
Excellent
40%
Good
60%
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4.5 based on 5 reviews

Canberra Nature Park

27 Areas Of Natural Beauty.

4. Jerrabomberra Wetland

Dairy Road, Fyshwick, Canberra 2609 Australia +61 439 030 058 http://jerrabomberrawetlands.org.au/
Excellent
57%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
2%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 56 reviews

Jerrabomberra Wetland

See possums, wallabies, and lizards.

Reviewed By JuJuMizzle

Bird watching tours are great - on a Saturday morning once every month or so at 9:30am - a gentle stroll around the bird hides learning about the different types of ducks and birds, and how the wetlands improves the water of the whole water course. The rangers are very knowledgeable. Nice to do with friends and family or on your own - they are quite welcome.

5. Black Mountain Nature Park

Acton, Canberra 2004 Australia +61 2 6207 2113 http://www.tams.act.gov.au/parks-recreation/parks_and_reserves/canberra_nature_park
Excellent
48%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 88 reviews

Black Mountain Nature Park

Reviewed By Les_Landau - Canberra, Australia

You can walk the trail up to the top of Black Mountain through the Botanic Gardens, and this is probably the nicest way to do it. However, if you do not want so much uphill walking, then drive up, and park at the carpark towards the top, but NOT at the top, and go on a 30 min walk around Black Mountain. This way you are in the bush with the flowers and birds and have a changing view as you walk all the way around. It is not completely flat, and is at times uneven, but is very easy walking. An alternative, is to park at the top, then follow the train down about 300m to where the loop track goes, then walk around and back up to your car. Whichever way you do it, it is a great walk, and one of the best in Canberra (the others being up Mt Ainslie and up Red Hill).

6. Cotter Reserve

Cotter Road, Canberra 2004 Australia +61 2 6205 0044 http://visitcanberra.com.au/accommodation/56b23aee266140594567dc14/cotter-campground
Excellent
51%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 149 reviews

Cotter Reserve

Reviewed By alexu2013 - Canberra, Australia

This is a fantastic spot for a family picnic, lots of open space to sit down and a beautiful river nearby. There are multiple bbq areas and a large park for the kids. The dam is huge and amazing to see. There is a short walk that is easy for the kids to do to view the dam. It’s only 20 min from Canberra so a really good distance to spend the day. Take all your own food and rubbish bags as there are no bins or cafes.

7. Canberra Reptile Zoo

O'Hanlon Place,, Nicholls, Canberra 2004 Australia +61 2 6253 8533 [email protected] http://www.canberrareptilezoo.com.au
Excellent
57%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 159 reviews

Canberra Reptile Zoo

Reviewed By Aly1961 - Sydney, Australia

I really enjoyed this...a very small reptile zoo fitted into a building that they make work....It is a super close encounter with the reptiles & many are available for you to touch, whilst they are still in their exhibits or they are providing talks & you are allowed to touch them. It was very homely & they had many areas including a bbq area, party area and outside area. I would happily go again. $16 to get in which I thought very reasonable.

8. Mount Taylor Nature Reserve

Sullwood Drive, Canberra Australia
Excellent
64%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
7%
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Terrible
8%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 14 reviews

Mount Taylor Nature Reserve

Reviewed By FrostyRemo - Melbourne, Australia

There are several ways up and down. I went up the Zig Zag track and down the southern side (all on tracks) to make a tidy loop. Great views in all directions and plenty of 'Roos and bird life.

9. One Tree Hill Lookout Walk (Centenary Trail)

Hoskins Street, Hall, Canberra 2618 Australia http://www.tams.act.gov.au/parks-conservation/parks-and-reserves/find-a-park/rural/canberra-centenary-trail/section-maps/shorter-walks-on-the-centenary-trail
Excellent
45%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
5%
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4.5 based on 20 reviews

One Tree Hill Lookout Walk (Centenary Trail)

Reviewed By FrostyRemo - Melbourne, Australia

For a taste of the Canberra Centenary trail this is a great introduction. Be rewarded with great views and plenty of bird life as you gradually ascend to the One Tree Hill Lookout. Keep an eye out for the critically endangered Orange Sunshine Moth when relaxing at the summit Lookout.

10. Square Rock Trail

Corin Forest Road, Canberra Australia
Excellent
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4.5 based on 4 reviews

Square Rock Trail

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