Namadgi National Park

Namadgi covers around forty-six percent of the Australian Capital Territory, a block of mountain country running south from Canberra to the New South Wales border, with peaks over 1,900 metres, sub-alpine grasslands, snow gums and granite tors. Yankee Hat, reached on a flat walk across a grassy valley, holds a rock shelter with Ngunnawal paintings of figures and animals, the most accessible Aboriginal art site in the territory. Other walks climb Booroomba Rocks, a granite face used by climbers with views over Canberra, and Mount Tennent above the visitor centre. Snow falls on the high country most winters. Much of the park burned in the 2020 fires and vegetation is still recovering.

History

Namadgi is a local Aboriginal name for the mountains south-west of Canberra, where people have been present for at least 21,000 years, and the rock paintings at Yankee Hat are at least 800 years old; the Ngunnawal are recognised as the traditional owners. Settlers moved in from the 1830s and cleared the valleys for farming while the ridges stayed forested, the national park was created in 1984, and in January 2020 the Orroral Valley fire, started by the landing light of an army helicopter, burned about 80 per cent of it (Wikipedia, Namadgi National Park).

Highlights

• Yankee Hat rock art - Ngunnawal paintings in a shelter reached by a flat walk.
• Booroomba Rocks - granite slabs and cliffs with views over the territory.
• The sub-alpine country - snow gums, grasslands and tors on the high ground.
• The fire recovery - regrowth across country burnt in 2020.

When to go

October to May for walking; the high country is cold and often snow-covered in winter, and roads can close. Summer brings fire danger and closures. Wildflowers on the sub-alpine plains peak in December and January.

Things to know

Roads into the park are partly unsealed and some are rough. Phone coverage is absent across most of it. Fire damage from 2020 is still very visible in places. Weather changes quickly at altitude and the ranges are exposed.

Nearby

Tidbinbilla lies north; Tharwa village and the visitor centre are on the eastern edge.

Key facts