Camping in the ACT's Parks, Forests and Bushlands

• Murrumbidgee River Corridor—Cotter Campgrounds
• Woods Reserve Recreation Area
• Blue Range Recreation Area
• Old Kowen Homestead Recreation Area
• Namadgi National Park

Murrumbidgee River Corridor—Cotter Campgrounds

The Cotter Campground is the most highly serviced bushland camping area in the ACT.

• Separate areas for organised groups, campervans and small private parties.
• Electric BBQ.
• Toilet and shower facilities.
• Shared wood BBQs.
• Limited firewood is provided, so be sure to bring your own.
• Pets are not allowed.
  

Camping Fee: There is a fee of $7.55 per person per night. There is no charge for children under ten years of age. Fees can be paid to the campground host, rangers, or left in the honesty box at the entrance.

Bookings are not required.

Murrumbidgee River Corridor

Woods Reserve Recreation Area

Situated on the banks of Gibraltar Creek, Woods Reserve is a popular venue for camping and picnicking and an ideal venue for large groups.  

• Available for overnight camping as well as day users. 
• Bookings essential.  
• Wood fired and gas BBQs.
• Water from creek for hand washing, flushing toilets, and washing up facilities. Please be water wise and minimise waste.
• Showers have been temporarily turned off due to the extended drought conditions and the reduced water flow in Gibraltar Creek.
• An access code to the amenities will be given to campers after their booking has been approved.   
• Picnic shelter and picnic tables. 
• BYO firewood. 
• Pets allowed.

The Woods Reserve Recreation Area is located ( PDF 73Kb) south of Canberra on Corin Road, 5.4 km from the Tidbinbilla Road turn-off and only 15 minutes from Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and Corin Forest Mountain Recreation Resort. 

Gibraltar Falls is located upstream from Woods Reserve, a few minutes drive south on Corin Road. From the Gibraltar Falls car park there is a short gravel track to the lookout. 

Camping Fees: $7.55 per person per night. There is no charge for children under ten years of age.

Bookings essential. View availability, book and pay online on the ACT Government Online Bookings System or call Canberra Connect 13 22 81. Organised group bookings (eg. Scouts) cannot be done online.

Blue Range Recreation Area

The Blue Range Recreation Area is centred around the heritage listed remains of a World War II Italian internment camp, in which Blue Range Hut was the galley of the camp. Although the surrounding pine plantation was destroyed in the January 2003 bushfire, the Blue Range Recreation Area has been restored and remains a popular place for camping, picnics, functions and events. 

• Available for overnight stays, camping, day users and large events.
• Bookings essential.
• The hut can be hired seperately or the whole site can be hired for exclusive use.
• Wood fire and gas BBQs.
• Pit toilet with wheelchair access.   
• Picnic tables.
• BYO firewood.
• Pets allowed.

The Blue Range Recreation Area is located ( PDF 66Kb) in the Uriarra Forest area on Blue Range Road, approximately 2.6 km from the intersection with Brindabella Road.

Camping Fee: $5.40 per person per night. There is no charge for children under ten years of age.

Hut hire fee: $46.90 per night for up to six people, plus $5.20 for each additional person.

Exclusive use fee: To book the whole area exclusively overnight, there is an additional $54.20 per night surcharge.

Key Deposit:  A $50 key deposit is required for all bookings. This money will be refunded on return of the key.

Bookings essential. View availability, book and pay online on the ACT Government Online Bookings System or call Canberra Connect 13 22 81. Exclusive use and organised group bookings (eg. Scouts) cannot be done online.

Old Kowen Homestead Recreation Area

Set within a pine plantation, popular for horse riding and mountain biking, the Old Kowen Homestead Recreation Area is perfect for camping, picnics and barbeques and can also be booked exclusively for specific functions and large events.

• Available for campers and day users.
• Can be booked for exclusive use for functions or large events.
• Bookings essential.
• Access code to the area given when booking approved.
• Wood fired and gas BBQs.
• Pit toilet.   
• Picnic shelter.
• Picnic tables. 
• BYO firewood.
• Drinking water not available on site.
• Pets allowed.

The Old Kowen Homestead Recreation Area is located in the Kowen Forest Pine Plantation off Sutton Road, north east of Canberra on the way to Queanbeyan.

Kowen Forest is a locked forest so bookings are essential in order to obtain approval and access to the area.

Camping fee: $5.40 per person per night. There is no charge for children under ten years of age.

Exclusive use fee: To book the area exclusively there is an additional $54.20 per night surcharge.

Bookings essential. View availability, book and pay online on the ACT Government Online Bookings System or call Canberra Connect 13 22 81. Exclusive use bookings and organised group bookings (eg. Scouts) cannot be done online.

Namadgi National Park

Honeysuckle Campground

• Separate areas for organised groups, campervans and small private parties.
• A covered shelter with seating, fireplace and gas BBQ.
• Composting toilets.
• Shared wood BBQs (bring your own firewood).
• Rainwater provided.
• Access to the historic Honeysuckle Tracking Station site.
• Walking track connects to Booroomba Rocks/Orroral Ridge.
• Sealed road access.

Orroral Campground

• Traditional tents—only sites for small parties (there is no provision for organised groups).
• Flush toilets.
• Tables and wood BBQs at each site.
• Limited firewood provided.
• Boil/treat streamwater.
• Linkage to Orroral Heritage Walking Track network.
• Sealed road access.

Mt Clear Campground

• Separate areas or smaller-sized organised groups and small private parties.
• Pit toilet.
• Shared wood BBQs.
• Limited firewood provided.
• Access to Naas Valley to Horse Gully Hut walk.
• Access on unsealed road.

Booking a Camping Permit
Bookings must be made in advance at the Namadgi Visitor Centre either in person or by phone or fax (see below for location, open hours and contact details). Book early to secure a site, especially on long weekends.

Fees are payable in advance at the Namadgi Visitor Centre. This can be done on your way to the campground by:

• cash, cheque or credit card during open hours; or by
• cash or cheque using the after-hours facility at the front gate.

Your permit will include a tag to attach to your tent or campervan.

Three Night Limit
A three night limit applies at all Namadgi campgrounds.

Firewood
Campers are encouraged to bring gas or fuel stoves as an alternative to campfires. Limited fast burning firewood is supplied at Orroral and Mt Clear campgrounds but is not suitable for slow burning campfires. Firewood is not supplied at Honeysuckle campground. Twenty kilogram bags of slow burning wood are available for purchase at the Namadgi Visitor Centre. All proceeds support the Koomarri Association.

Fires are restricted to designated fire places unless a permit is obtained.

Collection of firewood from the surrouding bush is prohibited.

Visitor Centre Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9 am-4 pm
Weekends & Public Holidays: 9 am-4.30 pm

Campground Fees

Maps and Guides

• Campgrounds and Picnic Areas of Namadgi National Park—Map ( PDF 297Kb)
• Namadgi National Park—Guide to Campgrounds ( PDF 116Kb)