The Ultimate Guide To Namadgi National Park

Taking up almost half of the Australian Capital Territory, Namadgi National Park is one of Australia’s greatest natural wonders.

Namadgi National Park represents 46 per cent of the ACT, lying just 40 minutes southwest of Canberra City with more than 106,000 hectares of alpine, sub-alpine and mountain areas.

Since it was first declared a national park in 1984, this immensely diverse region has been a source of great inspiration for nature lovers, offering an incredible range of landscapes from grassy pains and snow gum woodlands to sub-alpine meadows and hidden fern gullies.

It’s often unexplored because visitors are unsure of what to do with something so wonderfully vast. To help, we’ve rounded up some of the top things to do in Namadgi National Park so you can make the most of your visit to this important, largely underappreciated, part of Australia’s geographically diverse east coast.

1. Search the national park for historic huts

a man sitting outside a homestead, Orroral — The Orroral homestead was built in the 1860s and has stood the test of time. (Image: Michael Maconachie)

Several historic homesteads lie across Namadgi National Park, retelling the story of colonial pastoralists and early recreational skiers. Filled with character, these homes are not only great photo opportunities but they tell the story of this region with every crack and crevice.

Gudgenby, for example, is a timber slab hut built in 1845. After serving time in a shipping container, it’s been beautifully restored and reconstructed near the Namadgi National Park visitors’ centre and can be viewed anytime. Audio features retelling tales of early settlers help contextualise the park before you set off to explore.

You’ll also want to look for Orroral, the park’s oldest original homestead which was built in the 1860s and can be found near the Orroral campground.

2. Walk to Booroomba Rocks

a couple standing atop Booroomba Rocks, Namadgi National Park — One of Namadgi’s best walks, hiking to Booroomba Rocks affords spectacular views. (Image: Visit Canberra)

If you’ve only got time for one hiking trail in Namadgi National Park, take the short 2.5 Booroomba Rocks tail up to the park’s most cinematic section. The 40-minute walk will take you through tall forests up to sweeping granite cliffs surrounded by big, beautiful boulders.

With great views of the Brindabella Range, this is one of the most scenic walks in the state, starting from Booroomba Park Park with clear markings along the way.

The walk is best done in spring when the area is blanketed in beautiful multi-coloured wildflowers like yellow and orange peas, daisies and flax lilies. Keep an eye out for Canberra’s signature royal bluebells along some of the wetter areas of the trail.

3. See Australia’s tallest mountain range

a woman walking along the Mount Tennent Trail, Canberra — Mount Tennent Trail is one of Canberra’s hardest walking trails. (Image: We Are Explorers for VisitCanberra)

Namadgi National Park is notable for many reasons, though mostly because it forms the northern tip of the Australian Alps. The various microclimates created by Australia’s tallest mountain range mean the park has an incredible diversity of environments, from steep slopes and open plateaus to dramatic alpine meadows strewn with natural beauty.

The best way to experience this end of the Australian Alps is by walking the 13.7-kilometre Mount Tennent Trail. Challenging as it may be, this is one of the most rewarding walks in Australia, taking you through many of these landscapes across five hours.

4. Pitch a tent

kangaroos grazing on the field, Orroral — Spot kangaroos grazing on lush green grass. (Image: Visit Canberra)

Camping in Namadgi National Park is allowed at either of three designated campgrounds – Orroral, Mt Clear, or Honeysuckle. And each offers a remarkably different experience for those who want to really give themselves over to this cinematic slice of Australia.

Orroral Campgrounds is ideal for anyone wanting easy access to the picturesque Orroral Heritage Walking Track, which is around 6 kilometres one-way and should take around 2.5 hours to complete. Mt Clear is preferred for its bounty of historic huts nearby. Meanwhile, Honeysuckle is frequented by history buffs, keen to camp at the actual spot where the world’s first vision of the moon landing was transmitted.

If you don’t want to camp, hire out the historic Ready-Cut Cottage instead. The heritage cottage can sleep up to seven and is positioned in one of the most beautiful areas of the park near the Gudgenby River.

5. Look for Indigenous rock art

a couple admiring ancient Aboriginal paintings at Yankee Hat rock art site — See ancient Aboriginal paintings at Yankee Hat rock art site. (Image: Tourism Australia)

There are plenty of things that make Namadgi National Park one of the most historically significant regions in Australia. Although the primary reason would be more than 200 recorded Aboriginal sites, not only covered with fascinating rock art but plenty of other details best showcased by Dhawura Tours on one of their custodian-led itineraries.

6. Spot the incredible flora and fauna

a Corroboree Frog in Namadgi National Park — Only hundreds are left of the Critically Endangered Northern Corroboree Frogs (NCF) in the wild. (Image: Visit Canberra)

Namadgi National Park is also one of the most bountiful regions of on Australia’s east coast, rivalling Western Australia when it comes to beautiful, multi-coloured wildflowers. Search the park and you might even spot the reddish-purple Brindabella midge orchid, found nowhere else on Earth.

You’ll almost certainly bump into kangaroos and wallabies but Namadgi is home to 13 threatened species so wildlife encounters are pretty much a given. This also includes wombats, gliders, lyrebirds, wedge-tail eagles and the critically endangered Northern Corroboree Frog.

Discover the best things to do in Canberra.

The heavens take centre stage at this Outback NSW glamping lodge.

Crane your neck. Look up. If it’s nighttime in a major Australian city, you might see a faint dusting of stars. Now imagine yourself out in the bush. Here, those stars aren’t just scattered dots – instead, they’re smudged across the sky in endless, glittering streaks. Welcome to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit , a new glamping lodge in one of the most picturesque corners of outback NSW.

Between its eight stargazing tents, Gilay Guest Lounge, and shared tales of the Dreamtime night sky, this retreat is designed to exist in harmony with the breathtaking lake and surrounding landscape. Intrigued? Here’s everything you need to know.

Bathed in warm light, a couple watches the sun dip beyond the horizon. — Watch the sky melt into magic at Wilderluxe.

Getting to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit is in the NSW Northern Tablelands, bordered by the Great Dividing Range. The lake itself is hard to miss: this mammoth body of water is two-thirds the size of Sydney Harbour.

Just 40 minutes from Tamworth and close to Gunnedah, it’s on the inland route between Sydney and Byron Bay. Drive or take one of the daily flights to Tamworth’s airport.

Aerial view of Wilderluxe. — Let vast waters and towering ranges set the scene for your escape.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit rooms

Don’t settle for a paltry room when you can sleep directly under the cosmos. Wilderluxe offers eight domed ‘Star Tents’ , all named after Aboriginal sky stories – like Djirri Djirri, the sacred messenger bird, Baiame, the Sky Father and great creator, and Dhinawan, the Emu in the Sky constellation.

On a clear night, use your tent’s retractable roof for gazing above or wander to the outdoor bathtub on your private deck to soak under the night sky. No need to go anywhere. You can stay put come evening with a kitchenette inside and a gas barbecue on the deck.

A couple gazes up at a sky ablaze with stars at Wilderluxe. — Sleep beneath the stars.

Style and character

When it comes to aesthetics, Wilderluxe Lake Keepit stays on trend. The encampment blends with its surroundings, building up layers of minimalist visuals that mirror the ever-changing curves of the water.

Earthy tones, natural materials and timber finishes also anchor the retreat in its bushland surrounds. It’s enough to deepen the sense of calm you’ll experience as you drive off-grid, and this is only heightened as you spot kangaroos grazing at dawn or hear the chatter of native birds by the lake.

The dreamy sunset at Wilderluxe. — Go off-grid in style at Wilderluxe Lake Keepit.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit dining

‘Dinner and a show’ hits differently with the property’s Big Sky dinner experience . Hosted in the Gilay Lounge, enjoy complimentary drinks and a grazing table with the host, followed by a screening of Big Sky Dreaming, a film produced exclusively for Wilderluxe guests in which Kamilaroi storyteller Uncle Len Waters narrates tales of the Dreaming above.

Once your imagination has been fed, it’s time to take a seat fireside for a glass of Australian port and a serving of s’mores.

Keen to explore the wider area? Staff can provide barbecue and picnic hampers, stuffed with regional meats, cheeses and organic local fare.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit facilities

While you could very well spend all your time in your tent, sometimes it’s time to hit pause on the celestial show. Instead, make your way up to the Gilay Guest Lounge, where you can relax on the deck overlooking the lake or the outdoor fire pits. It’s a great way to unwind and clink glasses with other stargazers.

The Gilay Lounge with the view of the lake. — Unwind by the fire and raise a glass at Gilay Lounge.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit experiences

No need to turn nocturnal; when the sun rises, there are still plenty of ways to touch the sky.

Lake Keepit hosted the 2020 Women’s World Gliding Championships, and it’s one of the best places in Australia to stretch your wings. The local Soaring Club operates year-round, meaning you can book a gliding experience any day of the year – or opt for a scenic flight to take in the vast beauty from above.

Prefer to keep your feet on solid ground? There are plenty of walking and cycling trails in and around the area. Luckily, bikes are part of the Wilderluxe package. All you have to do is ask a staff member for their favourite route, throw a picnic onto the back and cycle off into the great beyond.

Alternatively, nab a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or kayak and head out onto the lake. Or, if you’re feeling lucky, borrow a fishing rod and try your chances.

A person kayaking through serene waters. — Paddle into peace.

The details

A two-night minimum twin-share accommodation package includes Big Sky dinner and drinks experience, plus daily continental breakfast. As well as access to leisure equipment including mountain bikes, kayaks, SUPs and fishing gear.

The interiors of the glamping tent. — Let nature restore you, while luxury takes care of the rest.

Start planning your outback glamping adventure at wilderluxe.com.au.

The ultimate guide to Namadgi National Park