Natural Wonders within All Locations

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Canberra Nature Park Canberra The Park consists of 27 separate native bushland and grassland reserves throughout urban Canberra which provide many opportunities for walking.

Pine Island to Point Hut Reserve Canberra Walk the marked trail from Pine Island through open grassland to Point Hut Reserve. Enjoy flat ground that's ideal for walking and lovely views of the Murrumbidgee River. Pine Island is a popular barbeque and summer swimming area alongside the beautiful Murrumbidgee River.

Mount Pleasant Lookout Duntroon Drive up through Duntroon to the top of Mount Pleasant for beautiful views over Lake Burley Griffin, the Duntroon Royal Military College and Jerrabomberra Wetlands. Canberra Tracks signposting has wonderful historical facts about the areas below.

Cotter Reserve Canberra Splash or go fishing in the Murrumbidgee River. Go bushwalking. The Cotter Reserve is a popular recreation venue ideal for picnics, swimming and relaxation. Facilities include short walking tracks to the dam and river, and limited overnight camping spots.

Black Mountain Acton Discover fantastic views appearing through the trees as you walk around the marked walking trails on Black Mountain. Black Mountain is the most diverse of Canberra’s nature parks. It houses 100 species of birds, 500 species of plants and 5000 species of insects.

Lanyon Homestead Tharwa The Lanyon historic precinct is set in a landscape of great natural beauty. Stroll in the rambling gardens, visit the restored 1850's homestead and the courtyard buildings. Changing exhibitions focus on aspects of Australian country life. A wide range of interactive educational and community programs are also available.

Scope Mount Stromlo Weston Creek Explore the historic Mount Stromlo site, a major observatory before the 2003 Canberra bushfires. Scope Mount Stromlo is now a world-class research and engineering facility. Take in sweeping views of the Brindabella Ranges, from the Cotter Dam to the Yass Valley.

Point Hut Pond Park Gordon Stop off en route to or from Tidbinbilla to take the children to the playground at Point Hut Pond Park. Make use of the barbeques and shaded areas. Walk around this serene park and it’s pond and enjoy great views of the hills. Toilet facilities and parking available. Dogs allowed.

Geoscience Australia Symonston Geoscience Australia is Australia's national geoscience research and geospatial information agency. The large foyer area at Geoscience Australia has on display a superb collection of world-class minerals, rocks, fossils, maps and historical equipment.

Black Mountain Peninsula Acton Enjoy 22.2 hectares of foreshore parkland on the north western side of Lake Burley Griffin. Black Mountain Peninsula was designed for enjoying the lake. Use the boat launching ramp for non-powered craft and go sail away. Swim, paddle or just stroll along the water’s edge.

Namadgi National Park and Visitors Centre Tharwa Venture into Namadgi to discover its Aboriginal heritage. Experience wonderful birdlife, picnic and fishing spots and fantastic bushwalks with scenic views. Hire a Personal Locator Beacon from the Namadgi Visitor Centre if you're going to be hiking in remote areas.

National Zoo and Aquarium Canberra Visit Australia's only combined zoo and aquarium with the largest inland aquarium. See Australia's largest collection of big cats, giraffes and bears. See the eight magnificent white lions.

Cooleman Ridge Chapman Visit Cooleman Ridge for walks of different lengths, with scenic views. Follow the circuit trail around the lower slope of Mount Arawang. Check their website for comprehensive details, extra links, a brochure and map. Learn about wildlife, geology and plants in the area before you go walking.

Kambah Pool to Pine Island Tuggeranong This seven kilometre marked walking trail is especially scenic and easily accessible. The magnificent Red Rocks Gorge can by accessed via a short side trail about half way between Kambah Pool and Pine Island. Allow approximately three hours one way.

Tidbinbilla Tidbinbilla See koalas, emus, kangaroos, platypus, the endangered brush-tail wallaby, reptiles, possums and echidnas in a natural setting. This unique outdoor attraction features high quality boardwalks and exhibits. Ask about guided walks, activities and bush trails at their Visitor's Centre. Enjoy hands on displays and education amenities.

Canberra Walk In Aviary Nicholls Walk among nearly 600 beautiful birds in the Canberra Walk In Aviary. Observe, photograph and feed the friendly free flying birds as they fly in the large planted aviary This is your chance to get up close and personal with 57 different species from Australia and around the world.

Black Mountain Tower Acton See spectacular 360 degree night and day views of Canberra's region from Black Mountain Tower. Feel the wind in your hair on open viewing platforms. Stay warm and dry during winter months in their enclosed viewing gallery.

Yerrabi Ponds Amaroo If you feel like exploring parks in the nation's capital with the children, head to Yerrabi Ponds on Canberra’s north side. This skating park and children's playground is near Gungahlin Lakes. The undercover barbecues make it an ideal spot for a picnic lunch or dinner.

Gibraltar Falls Canberra Gibraltar Falls is upstream from Woods Reserve, a few minutes drive south off Corin Road. Discover this secluded spot at the edge of Gibraltar Creek Pine Forest. Make use of the picnic shelter, gas BBQ, amenities block at the Gibraltar Falls car park.

Mount Painter Cook Enjoy unhindered views of Canberra and the Brindabellas from Mount Painter. Walk to the summit along a sealed trail. Stop for a time at the two lookouts for the wonderful views. Learn more about the area from the interpretive signage at the summit.

Glebe Park Canberra City Head out into the fresh air and enjoy some green space right in the centre of the city. Take a picnic. Go for a walk. Like the rest of Canberra, Glebe Park was designed to tranform with the four distinct seasons.

Mulligans Flat Gungahlin Mulligans Flat has long been recognised as one of the best bird watching sites in the ACT by the Canberra Ornithologists Group. The area is also rich in frogs, reptiles, invertebrates and mammals.

Shepherds Lookout Holt To get to Shepherds Lookout, start at the parking area three kilometres from the last traffic island on Stockdill Drive. Walk through Woodstock Nature Reserve to Shepherd’s Lookout for an impressive view along the Murrumbidgee.

Old Parliament House Gardens Parkes The Old Parliament House Gardens are in the heart of the Parliamentary Zone on either side of Old Parliament House. The four rose gardens were established in the 1930s and contain 515 different roses. See how roses developed from the wild species to modern varieties.

Pialligo Redwood Forest Majura See Walter Burley Griffin's grove of majestic Redwood trees. Take the self-guided tour along the three kilometre walking track or just relax and enjoy a picnic. The redwoods were planted against the advice of Canberra's Arborist, Thomas Charles Weston. Only 3,000 of the original 122,000 planted survived.

Australian Reptile Centre Canberra Nicholls Come face to face with some of Australia's largest, deadliest and most colourful reptiles in the Australian Reptile Gallery with thematic exhibits encompassing the tropical, temperate and arid zones.

Urambi Hills Kambah Experience invigorating views, flora and fauna on this four kilometre walk. Park your car or get dropped off at the beginning of Learmonth Drive and walk along the ridges. Alternately head towards almost the end of Learmonth Drive and start your walk from the spot where these images were taken.

Molonglo Gorge Canberra Molonglo Gorge is great for swimming, fishing, walking and picnicking. The Molonglo River runs a picturesque course through the gorge; carved through a fault zone. Take the self-guided walk along the gorge to the Blue Tiles picnic area. The Molonglo Gorge forest recreation area is 2 kilometres off Sutton Road.

National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia Canberra City Take time out to enjoy the finest collection of miniature bonsai and penjing trees styled by some of the country's finest bonsai artists. Paper-bark, Montezuma cypress, and other exotic and native trees were all created by Australian artists.

Gold Creek Station Ngunnawal Share a day in the life of a farming family on their 2000-acre Merino sheep and beef cattle farm. Watch Australian kelpie dogs work merino sheep. See sheep shearing demonstrations. Hear informative talks on the Australian wool industry.

Remembrance Nature Park Ainslie This nature park commemorates the signing of the armistice on 11 November 1918 and the Aboriginal people who served in the armed forces. Walk through the park from the Australian War Memorial and join up with the Mount Ainslie Summit Trail.

Corin Forest Mountain Retreat Tidbinbilla Corin Forest is a year round recreation facility with an emphasis on mountain sports and activities. Corin is located 45 minutes drive from central Canberra on a sealed road. These exciting rides set in Corin Forest's natural, Australian mountain bushland setting make a unique and unforgettable experience.

Casuarina Sands to Kambah Pool Canberra Casuarina Sands is a great place to picnic and relax along the Murrumbidgee River. Have a barbeque, swim in the river or stroll upstream to the historic pumping station. For the energetic there is a 14km marked walk along the river with the spectacular Bullen Range to Kambah Pool.

Black Mountain Lookout Acton Enjoy views of Parliament House, Lake Burley Griffin and the Australian Institute of Sport. From this lookout, you can see the Brindabellas, the city centre and Mount Ainslie. Further up Black Mountain is Telstra Tower with 360 degree views over Canberra.

Glenloch Belconnen This working farm of approximately 600 acres is nestled in a picturesque setting only minutes from Canberra city at the foot of iconic Black Mountain. Witness working sheepdogs, sheep shearing and wool classing. Enjoy a rural barbecue lunch.

Mount Ainslie Lookout Ainslie Walk, cycle or drive to the top of Mount Ainslie for a perfect view of Canberra’s unique layout. Take in Lake Burley Griffin, many of Canberra's national attractions and the mountain ranges surrounding the city. See great views of the Australian War Memorial, Anzac Parade and Parliament House.

Australian National Botanic Gardens Acton Indulge yourself and escape from the city in this beautiful national collection of Australian plants at the Australian National Botanic Gardens. Explore the diversity of Australia's weird and wonderful plants. See the rare and the beautiful. Hear native birdsong as you walk along winding paths.

Jerrabomberra Wetlands Fyshwick Make sure you take your binoculars when you go walking at Jerrabomberra Wetlands. Strategically located paths and bird hides will help you discover the delights of bird and wildlife watching. These wetlands are an important habitat and refuge for wildlife.

Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture: Bible Garden Barton The Bible Garden is a beautiful, quiet place overlooking Lake Burley Griffin. Relax among protected grasslands, a shaded rainforest area, and a labyrinth. Read the plaques that describe the context in which each plant was mentioned in the Bible.

Cockington Green Gardens Nicholls Explore the world in miniature at Cockington Green Gardens. See highly detailed miniature buildings and magical landscaped gardens. Take a miniature steam-train ride. Marvel at detailed replicas of actual buildings. Figurines, sound and movement bring scenes to life.

Red Hill Lookout Red Hill South of the city centre, Red Hill offers a lookout over many of our national icons. In autumn, the brilliant reds and oranges of the deciduous trees in the suburbs below are stunning. Relax in the kiosk and restaurant or do some bird watching.

Uriarra Loop Canberra Allow 2 to 2.5 hours for this 3.5 km walk with sandy river banks and views. It's mostly flat and easy.

Weston Park Yarralumla Weston Park is a popular spot. Head to the beach and swimming area on the eastern shore. Ride your bikes on the cycle track that runs through the park. There's plenty of room and facilities for picnicking with picnic tables, electric barbecues and public toilets.