Top Tourist attractions in Australian Capital Territory, Australia

A must-visit! It’s really beautiful, with many trails for various walks. I recommend taking the one that leads to the top of the mountain for a breathtaking view! You also have the chance to see many animals, including lots of kangaroos (especially in the morning). It’s truly exciting to see koalas as well.

Only a 45-mins drive from Canberra. Went here for the Tidbinbilla Open Day and had a great time. There were lots of activities and useful information, we got to learn about first aid, nature conservation, and cultural experiences. Overall, a good fair and we had a blast.

A great place for abseiling, climbing, and ascending ropes. Then in warmer months, a bit of a dip in the water as well.

Spent an afternoon here in September. Fantastic experience, wandering around among Wallabies and Kangaroos. Also Koalas up close. Worth every bit of the very modest entrance cost

Nestled in the heart of Vermont's Green Mountains, Camel’s Hump stands as one of the state's most iconic and revered peaks. Towering at 4,083 feet, this distinctive mountain is not only a prime destination for avid hikers but also a symbol of the rugged beauty that defines Vermont’s natural landscape. This review delves into what makes Camel’s Hump a standout hiking experience and provides a comprehensive overview of what you can expect when venturing to this remarkable summit.

Scenic Beauty and Unique Features

Camel’s Hump is renowned for its distinctive shape, which, from a distance, resembles the hump of a camel—hence the name. The mountain’s summit is a broad, treeless dome that offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The trail leading to this summit provides an ever-changing scenery, from dense, verdant forests to exposed ridges, each offering its own unique beauty.

One of the highlights of Camel’s Hump is the spectacular 360-degree views from the summit. On a clear day, hikers are rewarded with breathtaking vistas of the Green Mountains, the Adirondacks, and even the White Mountains in New Hampshire. The sight of the sprawling forests and rolling hills below is nothing short of mesmerizing, making the summit an ideal spot for both photography enthusiasts and nature lovers.

The Hiking Experience

Camel’s Hump is accessible via several trails, but the most popular routes are the Long Trail and the Burrows Trail. The Long Trail, which is part of a historic path running the length of Vermont, offers a challenging but rewarding climb. The trailhead is located at the end of Camel’s Hump Road, and the trek to the summit is roughly 4.8 miles one way, with an elevation gain of about 2,400 feet.

The hike is considered strenuous and is best suited for those with some experience in hiking. The ascent is steep and involves a fair amount of scrambling over rocky sections. However, the effort is well worth it for the stunning summit views and the satisfaction of reaching such a prominent peak. The Burrows Trail is slightly shorter and less strenuous but still provides a rewarding climb and impressive views.

Trail Conditions and Preparation

Hiking Camel’s Hump requires proper preparation. The weather in the Green Mountains can be unpredictable, and conditions at the summit can be vastly different from those at the base. It’s advisable to check the weather forecast before setting out and to bring layers of clothing to accommodate changing conditions. Good hiking boots are essential due to the rocky and sometimes muddy trail segments.

Additionally, while the trail is well-marked, it is always beneficial to carry a map and compass or a GPS device. Cell service can be spotty in the mountainous terrain, so having a reliable way to navigate is important.

Conservation and Leave No Trace

As with all natural areas, preserving the beauty of Camel’s Hump is crucial. Hikers are encouraged to follow Leave No Trace principles, including packing out all trash, staying on designated trails, and respecting wildlife. By adhering to these guidelines, visitors help ensure that Camel’s Hump remains a pristine and enjoyable destination for future generations.

Final Thoughts

Camel’s Hump offers an unforgettable hiking experience, combining challenging terrain with some of the most breathtaking views in Vermont. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or someone looking to take on a rewarding adventure, this peak delivers on all fronts. Its unique profile, stunning vistas, and the sense of accomplishment upon reaching the summit make it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the Green Mountains.

In summary, Camel’s Hump stands out as a testament to Vermont’s natural beauty and outdoor adventure opportunities. It’s a peak that promises both physical challenge and spectacular rewards, ensuring a memorable experience for all who make the ascent.

Exactly what you're expecting;

A Nature Reserve with an eye towards animal care. They have a number of sectioned Animal Sanctuary areas, a Veterinary Team on-site, and more than a dozen separate walking trails.

Their team members are very knowledgeable, and were extremely happy to answer the questions that my USAmerican guest was asking.

I'm really glad I took the day off to go here.

The view from the top is breathtaking

This is an amazing half day walk just a short distance from the Canberra suburbs.
Either walk in, and walk back out from Tuggeranong shops and Kambah Pool, or take 2 cars, leave one at either end, and it’s a lovely 2-3 hour walk.
There’s not much elevation, and not many steps, so it can be managed by even casual walkers and young kids, but watch out for bikes as this is also a part of the Centenary Trail for walkers and cyclists.
The short side track to the Red Rock Gorge lookout is the absolute stand out, but there’s some lovely riverside sections very close to the end/start of the trail at Tuggeranong.
Otherwise there’s some nice distant views of the gorge, some lovely sections of open fields and brush and quite a few kangaroos and wallabies.
A great day out but note there are no facilities or picnic tables along the route.

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is an absolute gem, deserving of 5 stars. Nestled in the Canberra wilderness, it offers breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife. The hiking trails are well-maintained and showcase the natural beauty of the area. The sanctuary's commitment to conservation and education is commendable, making it a perfect destination for families and nature lovers alike.

Lovely nature reserve, I was able to see Wallabies in the wild, Koalas in a protected area and did a couple of short enjoyable walks. Worth visiting.

Amazing view! Access to the lookout is easy with a short hike. Best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon during summer. It is winter now and we went a bit late already so the natural light is not that clear. I suggest going by noon during winter.

A beautiful place to go to disconnect and enjoy nature. It is easy to get around the nature reserve by car, if you are lucky you will be able to see various animals such as emus, koalas, kangaroos and different birds. It also has areas for picnics and barbecues, and different paths for hiking.

Awesome place to see autumn leaves! 🍁

Beautiful location. I’m fit and thought it was an easy walk but my friend found it a little bit challenging. Path winds uphill and has sticks and stones. We looped back via a route opposite the small carpark which gives you different views. Not as nice but I enjoyed have a different view.

The Cotter Bend, nestled where the Paddy's River and Cotter River converge, offers a serene escape for nature enthusiasts. Whether you're seeking a leisurely picnic or a refreshing swim, this spot has something to offer 👀

As a wedding photographer, Dairy Farmers Hill Lookout didn't disappoint! My clients held their elopement here on a hill, with its gorgeous landscape as their backdrop. From their small ceremony to their post-elopement party, it simply was the perfect relaxing location to fully enjoy an intimate celebration.

It's no wonder couples choose this famous lookout to elope; its 360 views of Canberra, accessible grounds, and quiet picnic ambience truly make the experience more beautiful and unforgettable. I can't recommend it enough!

Excellent view over Canberra. Great for watching the hot air balloons launching in the early mornings, or just relaxing anytime of the day.

Great spot but check your trails around this area carefully, not well very sign posted. Walked to Pine Island Car park from Kambah Pools carpark, 22kms return.

Approximately 2 to 2.5hr walk with a child. Mostly flat except for the descent to see the gorge close up. We parked at Kambah pool and did a return walk to the carpark there. I recommend sunscreen, hat and insect repellent as there were lots of flies. Hidden gem in Canberra.

There are two possible starting point la for this hike: Boomroomba Rocks Car Park or Honeysuckle Campground. If you have the time and energy, start at Honeysuckle (parking and toilets available) as it t is the best part of the hike. The track has a few ups and downs but nothing crazy at all. Once you reach the carpark the climb to the top begins. It's totally doable, just take your time. All in all it's about 11.5km.

Great spot for viewing birds or platypus. I didn’t see the Infamous platy today but if I were there at 7am or 4pm I’m sure I’d have seen a bit of action.
Instead this stunning red bellied black snake showed up. Happy in his patch of sun and bush, was not bothered by me waiting for him to move a little further off the path

Great walks with superb views. My favourite place in Canberra

A great and niche spot to have a freshwater dip in Canberra

Great for swimming, fishing, exploring

Dairy Farmers Hill Lookout we attended a couple of weeks ago, and this review and being up there bought back some wonderful memories!

Over 25 yrs ago, it was just a dirt road which we would come through the pine forest to access this area to sit up here and admire the views!

Now, if anyone asked me back , then I would be doing a review on this lookout to help others. I would have laughed, but here we are!

This lookout now has a tar road with carparking spaces and foot paths. The big pine trees are over 25 + yrs that I know, which gives great shade back then and now...

The government has done amazing work to this area, with picnic areas to the great Eagles nest display and the friends garden, which is getting better every year as the plants grow!

The view overlooking the CBD of Canberra and Lake Burley Griffith is beautiful on the right day, of course, and where the carparking area is you also have great views overlooking the Western creek area...

During the summer months, be a little careful as there are good size snakes, but they usually keep to themselves. Also, there is a mountain bike track for the more adventurous type of person...

You will not be disappointed with the views, and with saying this, just remember there is no toilet block up here.

The drive in is a little rough. Shallow creek crossing and then large pot holes and mostly unsealed road. I was slipping in 2 wheel drive and had to switch to 4 wheel drive. I think if you have an all wheel drive you would be fine. Plenty of parking at the carpark. A few regular sedans made it to the carpark with careful driving. The walk is lovely, lots of regeneration from fire damage, lots of wild flowers. The walk up consists of a lot of rock steps, suitable for the whole family as long as you are steady on your feet. The look out at the top was worth the walk. Note there are no toilet faculties here and you cannot bring your dog.

Black flat dam is one of the small dam out Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve but still just as beautiful!

You can find the trail head at Ribbon Gum carpark where you can read up on a historic distillery burner, and if you are lucky you just might see the rock wallabies on top of the rock platform across the road from the carpark,

The carpark is of good size, so there are no worries about finding a space to park...

The start of the small stroll to Black flat dam you will cross a small bridge with Tidbinbilla river running beneath you...

While taking in the beautiful bush, watch out for little birds and, of course, snakes don't mind this area!

When you reach the dam, you can find a perfectly place table to kick back and have a bit to eat while looking over the dam with nice views.

It's a great spot to stop on a walk or drive around the Arboretum to enjoy the views over Canberra and the Brindabella Ranges.

It is becoming more and more urbanised like any open space in a suburb and slowly losing the natural aspect. Very controlled environment. Dogs are not allowed in anymore. Well maintained toilets and playground. Plenty of benches and tables. Good views of the river. There used to be a little tea/coffee house on a corner that unfortunately caught a fire and wasn't rebuilt. It would be great to have this kind of facility again.

Gorgeous greens and wonderful place to enjoy a relaxing day with nature

Take a walk (about 1h one way via the Canberra Centenary Trail) from the Kambah pools. Don't follow the Google navigation via the road
You will end up on private property and a fence in front of you. The Red Rock Cliffs are closed now, water levels were high, we climbed as close as we could, but I don't advise it. And if you have a chance, do it on sunset or sunrise, when sun illiminates rocks in bright red!

My favourite walk in the ACT. Best combined with John’s Peak. Start is quite steep and a bit of scrambling towards the end. Best views are just before the summit. If there is a slight chance of rain in Canberra, it will be raining on Camels hump.

My favourite spot in Canberra. Best views over the city and beyond. The Arboretum is an amazing place to get a breather, soak up some nature, learn about trees and generally have a good time no matter how old or young you are.

It was nice and got interesting walking trails and we enjoyed during our visit.

Such a beautiful spot, and perfect for a romantic time in nature, a large BBQ, a simple picnic, or even a ls a destination for a bike ride. Do yourself a favour and rediscover this little gem of a place!

Pleasant and relaxing picnic grounds next to the river. Plenty parking spaces and very clean toilets. Saw staff cleaning and maintaining the BBQ ovens and other facilities. Easy walk to the dam and two hiking trails nearby.

Incredibly beautiful and peaceful area with fantastic hike options. I did the Gibraltar Peak hike, which took me about 4 hours with lots of time to hang out at the top and stopping often to take pictures. I saw lots of wildlife, including kangaroos, mountain dragons, skinks, and a lot of interesting birds. I enjoyed reading about the history of the area and the significance it has to native Australians on the many informative plaques. It was a Sunday with beautiful weather but it was not crowded. The building was closed when I was there. Note that there were not bathrooms since the building was closed. I would have loved to spend more time there!

You can't beat the view. That being said the road in can be a little sketchy, I would take a capable vehicle or a 4WD. The climb up the trail is steep so be prepared. Wear proper footwear and take breaks of you need them.

A very beautiful location, just a short drive from Canberra. Plenty of parking, lots of places to sit and have a picnic and best of all public toilets. There aren't any bins, so bring a rubbish bag if needed. We visited mid week (mid-morning) during school holidays, and there was hardly anyone there. The sandy bank and shallow section of the bend was perfect for small children. There is also the trail to the Cotter Dam, which was a hit as well. Definitely recommend this location for families/anyone looking to get back to nature and have a swim without driving too far.

Easy to access. Great overall views of Canberra in the lake. Take picnic lunch up there, sit at a tables or spread out a picnic rug on the side of the hill!

Cotter Avenue Reserve + Cotter Dam
Cotter Avenue, Paddys River ACT 2620

✅Toilets
✅Shade Sail
✅Tree Shade
✅Car Park
❌Signposted No Bins
✅Picnic Areas ✅ with BBQS

✅ Cotter Dam Discovery Trail
✅ Basketball Half Court

Playground is Semi fenced to road side, No Gates

Playground Equipment

• Seesaw beam for 2
• Spinning Surfboard
• Rabbit springer

• 2x Swing Sets
- Standard seat
- Toddler bucket chain seat

• Obstacle Play Structures
- “Teenrager” Fast flying fox with double handle
- Oval monkey bars
- 5 plastic ropes with foot platforms
- Overhead turning circle monkey bar

• Multi Play Structure
- Australian Animals on walls
- Concrete ramp to structure 2
- Flat access for all ramps to structure 2 and to structure 1
Structure 1
- Sliding pole
- 2x steering wheels
- Small metal slide
Structure 2
- shop bench underneath
- Platform steps
- Finger maze wall game
- Medium metal slide
- Access across to Structure 3 via metal suspended bridge
Structure 3
- access back across to Structure 2 via metal suspended bridge
- Small stairs
- Slanted Metal climbing wall with rope support
- Platform steps
- Connecting funky pole obstacle bridge to Structure 4
Structure 4
- noughts and crosses underneath
- Shop bench underneath
- Platform steps
- Sliding pole
- Steering wheel
- Small speed slide poles

Multiple picnic areas with BBQs, some sheltered. Plenty near the playground.

My sister and I love to climb up here every year. It's easy and it's not far. Just be careful going through the rocks. The view is breathtaking.

This is a great River and along the top of the river flood Levi is a concrete walking track to take in the river views.

Nice little explore.
Easy to get to and can be done in a 2wd, there is a steep decent down towards the river so I advise inexperienced drivers to take caution.

The cave themselves are up a steep hill so decent walking shoes are recommended.

The first part is steep, but it tappers off quite nicely until the last 300m or so. I personally love a good scramble, so the very last part was a lot of fun, and the views near the very end were amazing. It's only a 4 star because it's mostly a fire trail which can be a bit bland.

A beautiful place to visit that is close to Canberra.
The picnic area is beautiful and has lots of shady trees. It is very popular with families.
The dam lookout area winds through pine trees alongside the Cotter river.
A lovely place to visit a unique dam.

It's an excellent place to visit in Canberra. Just half an hour from anywhere in the ACT. Best time to visit is in the evening and it's an awesome view with the sun going down. There's a walking trail that you must try, it's between the water that's flowing out of the Dam. There's plenty of parking spaces available and tables to sit and have your food. There's toilets as well for visitors. There's a camping ground as well though I haven't personally checked it out see how it works.

There seems to be confusion here. There is the caves side and on the other side of the small valley is the mine side.
When standing at the road adjacent to the river look up the small valley. The walkway and steps to the left go to the cave which is fenced off. Above this are two more smaller caves entrances.
On the right hand side of the valley is a small track taking you through the old mullock dump and along to where the old mine is. Railway lines can still be seen going into the collapsed entrance to the adit. In the 90s this went back about 20m or so but was flooded. The mine is at the top of the valley and nowhere near the caves.

Awesome place for weekend get together. Around 5 BBQ facility. Very calm and quite. No network coverage.

Enjoyable escape from the heat and hubbub of city life in Canberra.
Plenty of great trees give the place a wonderful feel.
Lots of free barbecues in good condition. Safe areas for children to enjoy the water in Cotter River.
Tourist information signs are starting to look old and jaded, and footbridge over Cotter River still showing signs of damage from floods in 2022.

Amazing Amazing. I have been to Canberra and have visited some places, but this place is absolutely stunning. You can literally spend hours at the picnic spot or near the chilling River or enjoy the walking trails towards the Dam. The sound of the birds , winds n water gives you a natural peaceful vibes. Btw, no mobile network on this place, so plan ahead (download offline map) and enjoy mobile-less picinc😁. Enough parking on picnic spot. Bathroom nearby. There are plenty of BBQ spots and tables to make your picnic wonderful. Lots of trees gives enough shade in summer. Oo.. lots of flies..only annoying thing in this place. If u visit Canberra, mostly recommended place.

Cave is all locked up.
The climb up is okay with nice view.
Opposite the cave is a nice river with sandy bank and possibly fish running, little further up is wider sandy river.

The road to cave is very rough. Do not drive the road in a standard car, SUV minimum, though 4WD recommended.

Great location for picnics and parties. Well spaced out. Has kids play ground and walking path along the river to view the dam. Ample parking space.

Small walking track up some steps to get to a viewing platform to look at local area. No access to caves at all. Caves entrance has bars to stop entry and viewing. Two information signs to read about local history. If you are in the area it is worth the quick stop.

Almost a Canberra institution is "the Cotter". after the 2003 bushfires burnt down the pub and destroyed the area's recreation grounds, most of us locals thought the place would never recover. let us just say, the hard work by those involved has paid off in a big way. a shame the pub was never rebuilt, or a snack bar/café included in the 'new' Cotter, but it is a great place for a family picnic or BBQ with a great play area for the little ones and plenty of summer time shade. autumn is also a great time of the year with plenty of colours.
There are two lookouts that are reachable from the carpark/recreation area. The first one is more or less from where these photos were taken from and is a relatively easy walk (but there are stairs), from the end of the carpark, closest to the dam wall, as recent floods have damaged the other access point from within the BBQ area. the second lookout I have not been to as yet (actually didn't know about it until I read some of the other reviews here), so will have to make my way out there again for a bit of a look. cheers

Great little hike from the car park. It was a bit slick so bring shoes with good traction. It might be quite rough on a rainy day.

A delightful place for a family picnic, be sure to walk around to the dam wall while you are there. Take a garbage bag though, you need to take your trash home.

Compare to last year parking was accessible so it saved us 2 hours of walk. Very nice and diverse climb. Easy to do with children 4 and up I would say. Unless you are willing to carry them all the way to the top. Amazing views an dpwrfect spot for a cheese platter after a good climb.

Pretty, hidden, has a loo. I think I should have mentioned the free-flowing river: if cycling take breathe deeply before tackling the climb out!

If you enjoy a quiet picnic with flowing water and greenery around, this is the place to be. A few barbecue stations fulfil your food needs and you might even catch a glimpse of a friendly possum. Good for photography or recording water sounds. Adequate parking is available. Best time of the day to visit is early morning or evening. Avoid the afternoon time as it can get quite warn. Public toilets nearby can be handy if you have kids. Do visit while you are in Canberra.

I went this place with my wife, brother and sister-in-law for BBQ. I loved this. What a beautiful dam? The clear water to enjoy swimming 🏊‍♀️. Our day was spent so well as it was a quiet place to enjoy nature

There is no access by Car to the lookout from above the dam, I think you can walk up. But the area below is nice for picnics and water play. Very shady, has toilets and nice view of the water coming down the dam wall. I also saw 2 emus around and a kangaroo.

Quite a surreal experience with the dam spilling due to the heavy rain and the water rushing downstream. The amenities for a picnic or a family do are good, great playground for the kids and lots of empty spaces to run around in.

The final stretch up was long, hot , dry and very steep. We did this hike during summer and you could really feel your legs burn with that incline.

I only rated it a three star as I like to finish off a hike with a great view and I can't say this trail had a good one. If you're looking for a good workout, say a 3-4 hour endurance hike, this is one that's easily accessible for Canberrans. Although, there are a lot more prettier hikes in the region.

Great walk, not too hard, comes with good views over Canberra at the end.

This so called cave was an active copper mine for many years. It's now been closed to the public for safety reasons. I reckon I could climb into and out of it without hassle, but there is a dangerous lack of oxygen down there that means you could die from asphyxia without the right gear. The surrounding wilderness is beautiful though.

Very beautiful scenery from mountain top with thousands of different stone shapes. It’s about 30 minutes walk from the start of walking trail and around an hour from the carpark. This is worth to visit if you’re going to namadgi national park.

God this place is beautiful! First time returning since the 2020 fires. It used to be a short 30 min sharp climb up to the top however since the fires you need to start your hike from honeysuckle campground adding around 10kms return to your trip. Saying that, what a hike! The hike from the campground to Booromba base is magical, and a pretty easy 5km walk. Strongly recommend this walk for the views alone.

Fabulous spot to picnic or just look out over the rocks for the view.

Walk from the car park is around 30 minutes, trail is well marked. Car park is currently closed, but it does have a long drop toilet. The rocks themselves hold a lovely view back over the mountains. There are plenty of spots to pull up stumps for a picnic.

Well worth a trip out to experience!

Cool and shaded spot not too far from the city to spend time with friends, family or yourself.

Plenty of grassy areas for a picnic as well as a playground for the kids.

Bring a soccer ball or throw frisbees with some pals to enjoy the spacious greens all around, or stroll through the pathways.

Read through the signages showing the history & engineering development of Cotter Dam as well as its current service in providing water to the surrounding Canberra.

Beautiful walk. Just come well prepared with water.

A little run down but still a beautiful place to visit. Path up to the lookout/cave opening is a little overgrown and has no hand rails but is fairly easy going.

Although it is close to the water treatment area there are some nice walks around here with signs. Sheppard's lookout provides a great view over the area.

Very beautiful scenic park with big picnic spots with firework pits where you can barbecue on fire plates. Can play soccer and cricket badminton etc etc as the area is big between fire pit spot. Carry aluminium foil so that meat cook well. Good decent toilets.

Fantastic walk, took 4hrs return with a 30min stop at the top. The last bit of the walk is quite steep but great 360 views at the top

Nice relaxing place for a walk and a picnic by the river

Love this area if you are into a short bush walk absolutely amazing. Also tried a bit if fishing for COD but not even a chase. Still think this walk is great.

Lovely steep walk down to the river. It is quite steep and slippery, hiking stick recommended. Great views, watch for snakes. Usually a few kangaroos around. No toilets, definitely not for walking impaired. It is possible to swim in the river but it is cold water with snags and holes so be aware.

This is a relatively easy two hour return walk along the Kambah Centenary Trail, starting from just up the hill from the Kambah Beach car park. The scenery is magnificent from the lookout and from venturing carefully off track before the end of the gorge. The rocks are rhyodacitic ignimbrite of the Laidlaw Volcanics (423 - 422 million years ago).

Beautiful and relaxing place to sit and watch for platypus.

Cotter cave is a special place. Scientifically still very special despite past vandalism, fires and theft.
You can't get into the caves without a permit and a Ranger Guide. And it's pretty unspectacular. From the look out platform there is a good view of the local area. Inside, all the secondary cave formations have been vandalized or stolen. Please keep out. It is all very underwhelming. The cave is unstable and you'll disturb the various species of Cave fauna.
Go walk to Paddy's river and play on the stepping stones.

An excellent peak with a lovely walk up with a couple of steep sections and a bit of scrambling at the end. Particularly memorable when in snow.

A must visit place in Canberra. You can plan to spend your whole day, be it with family, friends or just you. Marvellous view of Cotter dam, followed by a bridge through to lookout. Beautiful walk up to cotter river and the Green shady park. Perfect for picnic with water view. Just be mindful of flies 😉

Nice walk. Also worth heading to the Kama Nature Reserve across the river.