Namadgi National Park is home to ACT’s second highest peak, Mount Gingera, which sits at 1857 metres high and provides some of the best views in the region.

Highlights

  • Panoramic views of the Bimberi Wilderness and Northern Kosciusko
  • Lesser travelled trail in the ACT
  • Detour to Gibraltar Falls
  • A calf workout (if you are into that kind of thing)
  • Wildlife (kangaroos and kookaburras)

Mount Gingera – Namadgi National Park

With the cold weather creeping into Canberra slowly but surely, I couldn’t resist heading to Namadgi National Park on a bluebird day. My destination Mount Gingera, the second highest peak in the ACT sitting at 1857 metres high.

The regular approach from the locked gate on Mount Franklin Road is the main route taken by most walkers but generally takes a long drive from Canberra City.

Instead I headed for Corin Dam, an hour drive from Canberra. The side benefit to this approach being the pit stop at Gibraltar Falls and Corin Dam itself for a few happy snaps before the trailhead at Corin Dam carpark.

 

Gibraltar Falls // A Quick City Break (ACT), Jonathan Tan, Gibraltar Falls, waterfall, Namadgi

Gibraltar Falls | Shot by @thetantrap

Nothin’ Like A Weekend Calf Blaster!

The hike itself is beautiful, that is of course after the 45-minute leg blaster of Stockyard Spur at the start of the walk. However, after this first two kilometres travel is generally pretty flat until the base of Mount Gingera where another 30-minute ascent is in order but nothing overly steep. The walk returns the same route and takes about six to seven hours to do all up depending on your fitness level.

The trails are all pretty well managed throughout with only about 3km on a dirt road fire trail so the walk remains immersive and interesting throughout but the views at the top is what the trip is all about.

 

Namadgi National Park Top of Stockyard Spur Xavier Anderson Corin Dam to Mount Gingera act canberra

‘One of the best views from a day walk in the ACT.’

I have done a fair few trips around Canberra and I would put Mount Gingera down as one of the best views you can get from a day walk in the ACT. The summit offers 360-degree views of the Bimberi Wilderness, Namadgi National Park and Kosciuszko National Park. It is truly a wilderness view.

If you ever have a spare day and want to escape Canberra for a bit (which we all do) then this is a great walk to do to escape the crowds on the more popular trails (and the views are better anyway).

Essential Gear

  • PLB or EPIRB
  • Map
  • 3L of water
  • Hat and sunscreen
  • Lunch

 

How To Get There

From Canberra City, take the Tuggeranong way south until point hut crossing where you turn right onto Point Hut Road then follow the signs to Corin Dam.

 

Activities

  • Hiking
  • Photography
  • Swimming (if you’re really brave)

Skill Level

Intermediate. Easy navigation but large elevation gain.

Distance Covered / Elevation Gain

20km return / 850m

Feature photo by Dan McInnes