Four of the most photogenic day trips around Canberra
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The weather is warmer, the sun is shinier, and the wanderlust grows.
As a photographer there is nothing I like better than to take my camera (and some friends too) on a trip to get re-inspired. Luckily, Canberra has so many beautiful places, right on its doorstep. Whether you are a smartphone snapper, or a DSLR diva, here are some of my favourite, photogenic road trips around Canberra that can be driven and captured in a day.
Mulligans Flat – Gundaroo – Collector – Lake George (Some unsealed road)
Mulligans Flat is a nature reserve just on the northern edge of Gungahlin. It’s a massive pest proof area that has wildlife thriving inside. Not only is the landscape beautiful and wild, its not uncommon to see echidna, lizards, dragon flies and wombats there too.
From there head to Gundaroo, a quaint country town with fabulous features such as the stunning Royal Hotel and restaurant (worth of a trip in its own right), the picturesque Gundaroo Community Church, and St Mark’s Anglican Church that used to be the courthouse. With such visually beautiful buildings, it’s worth getting out of the car and walking up and down the main street. If you follow your feet off the main stretch, you can also discover the river, historical cemeteries and plenty of gorgeous moments you’ll want to capture.
From Gundaroo, head along Marked Tree Road, a dirt road through Australian bush and you’ll find yourself along the top of the range that follows Lake George. One worthy stop is the view from the base-jumping platform. From here you will have a clear view across the valley below, Lake George and the windmill farms on the other side.
Continue onwards and you’ll end up in Collector. Either stop here and enjoy a drink at the Bushranger Hotel or cross the road to explore the Dreamers Gate sculpture. Head back towards Canberra on the Federal Highway and you’ll pass wineries, restaurants and the many rest stops along the lake, each worthy of its own stop.
Bungendore – Braidwood – Captains Flat
Heading east from Queanbeyan is a road trip that starts off hilly and rugged. If you are brave enough to face the early mornings, the road between Queanbeyan and Bungendore is one of the more reliable areas for morning mists, making the farmland into a fantastical treasure of whimsical moments.
The first sight I will always stop for is the historic Burbong Railway bridge. Stretching across the Mongolo river, and visible from the Kings Highway, its an iconic sight that one only needs to pull over to the side of the road to capture.
Bungendore itself has more than enough cafés and sights to perk up your morning. Worthy of a peruse, Village Antiques is full of interesting furniture and nick knacks and is also home of one of 12 giant kewpie dolls from the Sydney Olympics.
Warri Bridge and the reserve next to it are a wonderful place to stop and capture everything from lizards to landscapes. Get down by the water or walk across the pedestrian path of the bridge for a top-down view, this spot has many snaps waiting to be captured.
With plenty of older buildings to photograph, and some spectacular shops to explore, Braidwood is another gorgeous country town worth getting out of your car for. Make sure duck into Deadwood Café or walk down the drive behind Eureka Pizzeria to Dojo Bread bakery.
Either head back home, or take the long way home via Captains Flat. There are so many landscapes, scenes and vistas to explore along this road. You will follow an abandoned railway, discover historic churches and explore the old mining area around Captains Flat
Uriarra – Brindabella – Tumut- Wee Jasper (Some unsealed road)
The road towards Uriarra is such a great start to this road trip. Views back across the city, or across the farmland towards the Brindabellas, this is one of my favourite stretches of road. Visting Uriarra itself, whether you pick Uriarra east, or west, (why not both?) this area is such a beautiful place to visit, picnic and photograph. Following Uriarra Road along, you will eventually join up to Brindabella Road and onwards through the hills. Going up and over the Brindabellas does take care, and a careful eye on the weather but if clear and dry it’s passable in just a car.
In what feels like a hidden valley, the road opens up and crosses over the Goodradigbee River. I could lose days here in this one spot. Surrounded by bush covered hills this little pocket of green farmland, has wandering cows, babbling brooks, and is just beautiful.
Continuing on the road will take you through pine forests, national parks and winding roads, eventually spitting you out at a T intersection not far from Tumut. I recommend the detour into town as the walk along the river from Bila Park and old Tumut Bridge, takes you passed the historic All Saints Church, through the Rotary Pioneer Park, and along to the Riverside Café next to the racecourse. Coffees, cakes, and toasted cheese sandwiches await to fuel you up for the walk back to your car.
Return the way you came, or you can head to Wee Jasper via Wee Jasper Road and back to Canberra through Murrumbateman. This will take you passed rivers, iconic bridges, sweeping hills, open farmland, derelict farmhouses and depending on time of day, a high likelihood of wombat sightings.
Tharwa – Tidbinbilla – Cotter Damn
My favourite road trip in the south of ACT, and I mean do mean south. Once on the Tuggeranong Parkway, you just drive straight till the small town of Tharwa turns up in front of you. Of course, a stop at the iconic Lanyon Homestead before you get there is highly recommended. With food and coffee and a location that photographers dream of its worth the stop. The river in Tharwa is lined with poplar trees and has a beautiful walk down to a historic cemetery.
Taking Tidbinbilla Road will take you passed Lambriggs Lookout, through the hills and rolling landscape towards Tidbinbilla Reserve. Practice your wildlife photography there with the animals in the Eucalypt Forest or try the real deal on one of their many walks through the reserve.
Either take the chance to explore further towards Corin Dam or get onto Paddys River Road to explore the most striking landscapes I have found in ACT. The views stretch so far and wide, that you’ll forget you’re not even an hour from the city. The road even goes passed the Deep Space Communications Centre.
When the road finally encloses you again in forest and hills, you find yourself winding through curved roads and the occasional wild deer sighting until you come to Cotter Damn. With walks along the river, views of the very impressive damn and the Casurina Sands not too far further, you’ll want to stop again here and explore what this area has to offer.
The road will wake you passed Mount Stromlo, so you may as well stopin there too to get sweeping views of the city and surrounding areas.
If you don’t want to hit the road here are some of my more central favourite spots to help you recapture the photo bug:
- Jerrabomberra Wetlands
- Parliamentary Triangle, especially the National Gallery of Australia’s sculpture garden and the Rose Garden
- Lake Burley Griffith, especially Bowen Park
- The walk from Weston Park to Government House
- Arboretum, especially Cork Forrest
- The city itself and the people within! (Non-intrusively, of course)
Photography: Cadena McKenzie.
