In under an hour, this short but damn steep hike up Booroomba Rocks in ACT’s Namadgi National Park leads to incredible mountain views at the top.

 

We Are Explorers acknowledges that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Ngunnawal people, who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

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Booroomba Rocks Highlights

  • Sweeping views over Canberra and the Brindabella Ranges
  • Amazing photo opportunities
  • Incredible sunrises
  • Massive granite cliffs
  • Stargazing and city lights from above

Booroomba Rocks Quick Facts

From Booroomba Rocks Car Park

Distance: 2.5km return
Duration: 2 hours
Elevation gain: 200m
Skill level: Intermediate

From Honeysuckle Campground

Distance: 11.5km return
Duration: 5.5 hours
Skill level: Intermediate

What It’s Like to Hike Booroomba Rocks

Booroomba Rocks has to take the cake as my favourite view in Canberra. It’s got a lot of things going for it and is easily accessible yet remote enough to feel like a true adventure. It also has options for a quick morning hike or a full day of exploring and stunning views that’ll make all your Instagram followers green with envy.

 

Hike From Booroomba Rocks Car Park

The walk from the Booroomba Rocks car park is short and sweet at only 2.5km return. There’s a formed and well-maintained trail right to the top. With a small scramble you emerge out of the bush and onto the granite slabs that form the summit. It can be done in 30 minutes or so if you’re fit and like a good workout. Otherwise, allow up to an hour for a more leisurely pace with a few breaks to take in the amazing Australian bushland.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

The Long Way Round – Hike From Honeysuckle Campground

If you like a challenge, there’s a second and longer hike to the top. Starting from the Honeysuckle Campground it’s a 10.5km return trip that takes you along the Australian Alps Walking Track to the Booroomba Rocks car park and then joins the shorter walk to the top.

This is also great for anyone with a car with too little ground clearance for the dirt road to the Booroomba Rocks car park.

 

A Blast Up Booroomba Rocks // Namadgi NP (ACT), Dan McInnes, photographer, trees, forest, lookout, seat with a view, hero

Top O’ The Rocks

Once at the top there are a few options to explore. If you’re short on time, you can simply stop at the end of the trail for a break and snap a few quick pics before heading back down. Ideally, you’ll have enough time to bush bash through the maze of overgrown tracks covering the ridge.

Making your way up to the higher northern summit is also a good option. Up there you’ll be rewarded with unobstructed views to the north right across Canberra and to the west over the Brindabella Ranges.

 

A Blast Up Booroomba Rocks // Namadgi NP (ACT), Dan McInnes, mountains, range, black and white, distance, view, sunburst, panorama, hero

 

This area was a seasonal meeting ground for First Nations people from as far away as the Shoalhaven River who came to gather Bogong moths (apparently they taste like peanut butter!) on the land of the Ngunnawal people. The Ngunnawal were given official recognition of their association with the land in 2001 and now cooperatively manage the Namadgi National Park with the ACT Government.

For the more adventurous Explorers with some experience in bush navigation you can carry on from this lookout up to the southern summit for less-witnessed views.

Read more: Navigating With a Map & Compass

 

A Blast Up Booroomba Rocks // Namadgi NP (ACT), Dan McInnes, astrophotography, night sky, trees, silhouette, milky way, stars, hero

Essential Gear for Booroomba Rocks

How to Get to Booroomba Rocks

From Canberra CBD, head south on Tuggeranong Parkway/Drakeford Drive towards Tharwa. Once you’ve crossed the wooden bridge at Tharwa, continue straight along *NAAS road for 10km before turning right onto Apollo Road. After 9km of winding country road, you’ll arrive at the turnoff to the Booroomba Rocks car park.

If you’re in a car with low ground clearance, head a bit further up the sealed road to the Honeysuckle Creek Campground and take the longer hike in. Otherwise turn right onto the well-maintained unsealed dirt road. After just 3km you’ll arrive at quite a remote car park. There’s a basic toilet at the car park but nothing else. Take care to find the right trail as the Australian Alps Walking Trail also passes through here.

If it’s your first time in the area, I recommend stopping at the Namadgi Visitor Centre on Naas Road to grab some pamphlets. You can also ask a ranger for additional advice here if you’re not 100% sure where you’re heading.

This piece was brought to you by a real living human who felt the wind in their hair and described their adventure in their own words. This is because we rate authenticity and the sharing of great experiences in the natural world – it’s all part of our ethos here at We Are Explorers. You can read more about it in our Editorial Standards.