 | Canberra National Parks / Reserves Reviews | Tips 1 - 9 of 9 |  |
 | |  |  | National Parks / Reserves: Take a dip in the Murrumbidgee River | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
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. Leave a Comment Website: http://www.canberraconnect.act.gov.au/sportleisureparks/parksandreserves/murbidgcorridor.html
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| | | | National Parks / Reserves: The Nature Reserve is recovering... | Tip Rating: | | | | |
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. Phone: (02) 6205 1233Website: www.environment.act.gov.au
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