Canberra Nature Park

Canberra Nature Park is made up of 34 separate areas ranging from bushland hills to some of the best examples of lowland native grassland in south-east Australia.

The Canberra Nature Park reserves contain some of the best examples of Yellow Box-Red Gum Grassy Woodland left in Australia. This type of woodland is an endangered ecological community. It is home to a number of rare or threatened species such as the Hooded Robin, Striped Legless Lizard and the Button Wrinklewort.

Maps and Guides

Discover a whole new side of the Bush Capital by exploring Canberra Nature Parks!

Most Canberrans reside within walking distance of a Canberra Nature Park where they can explore quiet grassland reserves, or hike to the summits of Canberra's ridges and peaks to enjoy an eagle-eye view of the ACT region.

Pick up a copy of the Canberra Nature Park - Bush on your doorstep guide from the Tidbinbilla and Namadgi National Park Visitor Centres or Canberra and Region Visitor Centre; or download the maps and guides below:    

• Canberra Nature Park Maps
• Cooleman Ridge Nature Reserve
• Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve
• Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve  
• Pinnacle Nature Reserve ( 2.48Mb)
• Urambi Hills Nature Reserve
• Mulligans Flat and Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve Brochure ( PDF 862Kb)
• Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands of NSW and ACT—Poster ( PDF 657Kb)
• Dogs in Canberra Nature Park Information Sheet ( PDF 211Kb)
• Ranger Guided Activities

Sights and Sounds from Canberra Nature Park

• Chocolate Lilies at Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve ( JPEG127Kb)
• Common Fringe-Lily at Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve ( JPEG 107Kb)
• Purple Donkey Orchids at Mt Ainslie Nature Reserve ( JPEG 199Kb)
• Creamy Candles at Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve ( JPEG 191Kb)
• Native Buttercups at Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve ( JPEG 163Kb)
• Scrambled Eggs at Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve ( JPEG 285Kb)
• Donkey Orchid at Gossan Hill Nature Reserve ( JPEG 87Kb)

Goorooyaroo Nature Reserve:

• Yellow Box-Red Gum Grassy Woodlands ( JPEG 57Kb)
• Bursaria in flower ( JPEG 359Kb)
• Scribbly Gum and Brushtail Speargrass ( JPEG 241Kb)
• Shingleback lizard ( JPEG 204Kb)
• Audio of the Spotted Grass Frog, Rufous Whistler and Grey Fantail (  WAV 427Kb)

Black Mountain Nature Reserve.

• Paper Daisy and Australian Painted Lady Butterfly ( JPEG 49Kb)
• Narrow-leaf Bitter-pea ( JPEG 162Kb)

Managing Canberra Nature Park

Weeds such as Serrated Tussock and Chilean Needlegrass, and feral animals such as rabbits and foxes are a major threat to Canberra Nature Park. Parks, Conservation and Lands is responsible for managing natural areas in the ACT (over 73% of the ACT), and the efforts of enthusiastic Canberra residents involved in Park Care also greatly assist with some of the weed control work.

Urban Wildlife

The abundant wildlife in the 'Bush Capital' can result in animals becoming injured or trapped in suburban areas. Parks, Conseration and Lands Rangers are on call 24 hours a day to assist injured or trapped wildlife, and attend to venomous snakes and swooping birds.

• An injured Southern Boobook Owl ( JPEG 103Kb)
• Brown Snake caught in bird netting ( JPEG 1.4Mb)
• Brown Snake after being cut free from bird netting ( JPEG 61.7Kb)

Bushfires

Living in the 'Bush Capital' means that bushfires sometimes come close to and impact on urban areas. Parks, Conservation and Lands staff are part of the largest bushfire fighting brigade in the ACT—the 'Parks Brigade'. The Parks Brigade not only suppresses bushfires but also undertakes hazard reduction burns and other fuel reduction works near important public assets and significant areas. This work helps to reduce the intensity and rate of spread of bushfires.