National Parks / Reserves, Canberra

The water in the Murrumbidgee comes straight from Mount Kosciuszko and is clean enough to swim in, though there is not much of it. The river is narrow, not very deep, and with a very slow current - which is ideal for kids and older people paddling around in there. In some places the river has a smooth sandy bottom (eg. Casuarina Sands), but in most places there are pebbles or rocks on the bottom, though they don't interfere with a pleasant swim in the water.

My favourite swimming place as a child was at "the Cotter". This is a reserve that protects the Cotter River (a tributary of the Murrumbidgee) around 30 minutes' drive from the centre of Canberra. A typical Sunday at the Cotter includes a BBQ lunch, playing in the kids' playground, post-lunch bush-walk through the pine forest, a dip in the river, ice-cream at the kiosk and a nice nap on the way home.

There is a grassy camping ground by the river where you can stay for a maximum of 3 days.

The area was devastated by the 2003 bushfires, but is being rejuventated and is still a pleasant place to head for a quiet afternoon in the bush.

The photo is of nearby Casuarina Sands - courtesy of community.webshots.com.

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Tidbinbilla NAture Reserve is a delightful place teeming with native Aussie animals, especially the gorgeous kangaroos, platypuses, emus, etc, including Australian plants and shrubs like my favourite "Black Boy."

We chanced upon this place while driving to our favourite spot, Corin Forest, for a bit of snow fun. However, we were dismayed to find there was no snow this year there so we explore the areas around there and were pleasantly surprised to see the reserve.

Despite it being near closing time, we hurriedly got off to examine more closely the mob of roos quietly lazying about i the tranquil bush setting of Tidbinbilla. Of course, we did our best to take photos amidst the darkening sky above us! We were rewarded with several magical shots we shall treasure forever!

We also saw a group of people sitting quietly as they observe the wondrous natural setting around them. There was a lone emu, foraging in the grasslands there. It is common to find plenty of "roo" poos everywhere there so it was amusing to see those tiny round blackish pellets on the grounds. We promise to come back as we were aching to see more but the park closes at 6 and it was getting dark. It has been an exhausting but fulfilling day for the whole family.

It must bed noted that Canberra has been in the news several weeks ago for their project on the culling of kangaroos to reduce their number. According to the news, it is the most economical way to do so and I am personally opposed to this idea. However, unless someone comes up with a more feasible and "humans" alternative, these kangaroos will be "slaughtered" in the capital ( I heard this is being done already.)

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Eleven kilometres beyond Cotter, you will find yourself at the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve – shortly after you pass the turnoff to the Tracking Station. The TNR encompasses a large valley, set between 1500metre peaks, it is a truly impressive setting. There is a ‘Nature Discovery Playground’ for children, roads where you can drive or bicycle to a lookout for panoramic views, and walking trails of varying distances from a few hundred metres to several kilometres (and requiring different degrees of fitness). Most importantly, you can expect to see a diversity of Australian wildlife, including koalas.

The entire area was devastated in the 2003 fires, leaving none of the previous facilities and only one badly burned koala. Gradually the bush is coming alive again: the gums are re-shooting, the wildlife is returning. A new visitor and ranger centre has been constructed at the entry, containing a small but very good museum which includes dramatic examples of the effects of the fires.

Entry is free to the TNR, which is open daily except Christmas Day, from 0900 – 1800 and, during daylight saving, from 0900-2000. The Visitor Centre opens from 0900-1630 on weekdays and 0900-170 on weekends.

Canberra tourism advertises the city and what it offers (mainly museums), but the place has a lot of good hiking and camping areas in the region. Tidbinbilla nature reserve has got spectacular hiking, while other places, such as Cotter Dam reserve, has really nice swimming in the local river.

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is forty minutes from Canberra. It's in between the Tidbinbilla and Gibraltar Ranges. The valley has in indigenous and natural heritage. Tidbinbilla together with Namadgi National Park form the northern part of the Australian Alps.

The mountains that surround Tidbinbilla are a place of spiritual significance to Aboriginal people. The name Tidbinbilla is derived from the Aboriginal word, Jedbinbilla (meaning 'boys were made men). This area has the highest density of artefacts in the ACT. Evidence of Aboriginal occupation includes open artefact scatters and prehistoric rock shelters. The most important sites are:
1) The Birrigai Rock Shelter. Follow the Birrigai Time Trail which starts at the Visitor Centre. This rock shelter is the oldest Aboriginal site known in the ACT region and dates back to at least 21,000 years ago.

2) The Hanging Rock Shelter: follow the Hanging Rock Walking Trail. This shelter contains evidence of high occupation and was mostly used by large family groups or male hunting parties.

3)The Tidbinbilla Valley: this shows the 160 year European history of the area. Farmland, pioneers houses or remnants from activities of the early occupants are scattered throughout the valley. Explore these sites along the Birrigai Time Trail or on the Church Rock Heritage Loop.

Stop at the Visitor Centre for a great introduction to the reserve. They have up-to-date information about Ranger Guided Walks and Activities.There are also a hands-on displays such as the interactive computer program on Tidbinbilla's bird species, and there are live animal displays. The gift shop sells an interesting range of clothes, toys, books, cards and souvenirs. Coffee and light refreshments are also available.

Namadgi takes up all the bits of the ACT that Canberra doesn't; that is, most of the south-west. Part of the park borders the mountainous Kosciuszko National Park in NSW's Snowy Mountains. There are seven peaks over 1600m (5248ft) in the park, and some of the bushwalking is downright challenging. Booroomba Rocks is one of the most popular spots in the park, with some great climbing and scrambling over its huge granite boulders. Sometimes there's enough snow in Namadgi for cross-country skiing

Planted along the highway between Sydney and Canberra are different kinds of trees. We were told that these trees were planted to honour fallen Australian servicmen. An interesting thing to know don't you think?

Drive up to the top of Mount Ainslie to see a spectacular view of Canberra. This is a bushland park which can get very cold and windy during the winter months.