Brindabella National Park

Rugged, remote and utterly wild, Brindabella National Park is a high-country sanctuary straddling the NSW-ACT border west of Canberra. This is a place of dramatic granite escarpments, snow-gum woodlands and deep river gorges where the only soundtrack is the wind in the eucalypts. For travellers seeking solitude and raw nature away from the crowds, Brindabella delivers a true bushwalking and 4WD adventure.

Highlights & What to See

• Mount Coree summit walk – a steep but rewarding 5 km return track that climbs through subalpine forest to panoramic views over the Brindabella Range and, on clear days, the distant Snowy Mountains.
• Goodradigbee River – follow the park’s namesake river for picnic spots, quiet swimming holes and the chance to spot platypus at dawn or dusk near the Wee Jasper end.
• Brindabella Valley scenic drive – a 4WD-only route (check conditions) that winds through tall forests and open meadows, passing historic stockmen’s huts and offering glimpses of Brindabella Station, one of the region’s oldest pastoral properties.
• Wildlife watching – keep an eye out for eastern grey kangaroos, wombats, lyrebirds and, if you’re lucky, a gang-gang cockatoo or peregrine falcon.
• Dark-sky stargazing – far from city lights, the park is a superb spot for night-sky photography and simply lying back to watch the Milky Way.

Suggested Time to Spend

Dedicate a full day for a driving loop from Canberra via the Brindabella Road (unsealed, suitable for high-clearance vehicles). For walkers, an overnight stay is ideal: tackle the Mount Coree walk in the afternoon, camp at one of the basic bush campsites, and explore the river gorges the next morning. If you’re short on time, a half-day trip from Canberra is possible but you’ll only scratch the surface – aim for the Mount Coree lookout and a riverside picnic.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Namadgi National Park – contiguous with Brindabella to the east, this ACT park offers more marked trails, Aboriginal rock art sites and the historic Yankee Hat shelter.
• Wee Jasper – a tiny village on the Goodradigbee River with limestone caves (Careys Cave) and a lovely riverside camping ground.
• Canberra – Australia’s capital is just 45 minutes’ drive away, making it a perfect base for supplies and a post-walk meal.
• Yass Valley – explore the historic town of Yass, with its heritage buildings, cool-climate wineries and the Yass River walking trail.
• Kosciuszko National Park – about two hours south, this alpine giant offers the highest peaks in Australia, snow sports in winter and spectacular summer wildflowers.

Please check official sources for current details.