10 weekend adventures: Canberra

Your ultimate weekend adventure guide, in the ACT.

1. Sparrow Hill

30 min / 25 km / E
Activity: Mountain biking
The Drawcard: With the mountain biking mecca of Mt Stromlo (which will host the 2009 World Championships in September) within the city limits, Canberrans don’t have to leave town to get their riding fix. But the short trip to Sparrow Hill is well worth it for fast, flowing single-track and a change of scenery. The main loop, a lung-busting 27 km, is suitable for all levels – allowing beginners to take their first pedals in a new sport and tempting advanced riders to push that bit harder.
Fuelstop: The Central Café in Queanbeyan has big meals and is popular with riders or take a picnic and eat at one of the small dams on the trail.
Website

2. Wee Jasper

1 hr / 80 km / NW
Activity: Caving and abseiling
The Drawcard: Get your hands dirty exploring the labyrinth of inter-connected tunnels and chambers that lie beneath the ground at Wee Jasper. From large, easily accessible walk-in caves such as Signature to adventurous rope access caving it is all here – you may even see Bentwing bats. It is easy to get disoriented in the black depths, so make sure you have sufficient skills and a good map or go with a guided group. Wee Jasper has some great river-side camping, so don’t limit yourself to a day trip, allow yourself the whole weekend to explore.
Fuelstop: The Wee Jasper general store has tearooms and a variety of takeaway foods.  
Website

3. Bungonia

1.5 hrs / 120 km / NE
Activity: Canyoning
The Drawcard: Long exposed abseils and wide, open gorges typify canyoning in Bungonia. Bungonia Creek, which is one of the most popular canyons, is the deepest gorge in Australia – from the ‘lookdown’ perched high on the canyon edge it is almost 300 m to the creek below. Remember to complete the register at the park entrance before setting out. Pick up the guide, ‘Canyons Near Sydney’ as its the best source for any further information.
Fuelstop: The canyon is BYO, so simply select a scenic spot in the canyon, relax enjoy your pre-made delights.
Website

4. Blue Lake

2.5 hrs / 210 km / SW
Activity: Ice climbing and skiing
The Drawcard: Blue Lake is one of the few ice climbing destinations in Australia.  It is a great destination year-round, but is particularly stunning to visit during the winter months when the entire lake freezes over. Skiing or snow-shoeing into Blue Lake is a worthwhile adventure in its own right. Guthega and Charlotte’s Pass are the best jumping off points – think carefully about where you will cross the Snowy River.
Fuelstop: The Burning Log at Guthega has hot drinks and meals - all regular ski fare.  
Website

5. Kangaroo Valley

2 hrs / 200 km / ENE
Activity: Canoeing
The Drawcard: Why is canoeing in Kangaroo Valley so good? Well, apart from the stunning scenery and a section of river that offers some of the best flat-water paddling on the East coast, the major drawcard is that it is easy. Lets face it sometimes it’s nice for an outdoor adventure to be served up on a platter. A canoeing trip in Kangaroo Valley is relaxing – many places in town hire all of the gear you need and can give you directions, there’s a choice of single and multi day trips, the selection of restaurants and accommodation is great, it’s family friendly and the town itself, nestled deep in the valley, is a great place to rest and recharge. There’s plenty more to this place than canoeing, including bike riding, horse riding, wineries and Fitzroy Falls.
Fuelstop: After a big day’s canoeing reward yourself with home-made fudge or cookies from the Kangaroo Valley Fudge House. Café Bella is the best place for a hearty country-style breakfast served up in an appropriately colonial setting.
Website

6. Tharwa

0.5 hr / 35 km / S
Activity: Hiking
The Drawcard: The Namadgi Visitor’s Centre, just past Tharwa, is the start/finish of the Australian Alps Walking Track which is one of the best long walks in the country. Hikers can walk a section of the 650 km track or any of the many other trails in the area – there’s no shortage of options ranging from 10 minutes to 10 weeks. The heavily vegetated mountains in the area are separated by open valleys that are host to abundant wildlife and native flowers – particularly in spring.  
Fuelstop: If you time it right check out the Tharwa Fair – usually held in early November – for extensive local produce at its many food stalls. On the other 51 weekends during the year you can pick up a snack at the Tharwa general store.
Website

7. Montague Island

2.5 hrs / 220 km / SSE
Activity: Scuba diving
The Drawcard: Diving on the NSW South Coast during winter is not at the forefront of most people’s minds. But diving with the Australian Fur Seal colony at Montague Island, just five nautical miles off the coast from Narooma, is an opportunity not to be missed by the hardy adventurer. During the cooler months the colony consists of up to 1400 seals that interact playfully with divers.
Fuelstop: Quarterdeck, on the Narooma Inlet, is an interesting little place. Chris the owner proudly displays his assorted collection of all things sea-related and serves up great fish and chips.
Website

8. Mt Coree

1 hr / 50 km / W
Activity: Climbing
The Drawcard: The ACT and surrounds has an abundance of granite climbing.  However, for something different, Mt Coree offers some fantastic routes on rhyolite rock, high-up in a sub-alpine part of the Brindabellas. Mt Coree has been largely overshadowed by the trad climbing further south at Baroomba Rocks, but has had a resurgence as a bolt-clipping paradise. Mt Coree is accessed via Two Sticks Road which is also a favourite stretch of dirt for trail bike riders and cyclists.
Fuelstop: A quick glance at a map makes it abundantly clear that this is not Lygon Street – rumbling stomachs will have to wait until Canberra to be satisfied. The closest bet is Weston shops which has a throng of multicultural options.  
Website

9. Upper Murray

4 hrs / 280 km / SW
Activity: Whitewater rafting
The Drawcard: The headwaters of the Murray River are paddling heaven – and with a plethora of tour operators offering guided white water rafting trips it is accessible to anyone. The most popular option is (deservedly) the two-day trip from Tom Groggin to Khancoban - with two days of paddling through remote parts of Kosciuszko National Park and overnight wilderness camping. Get your adrenaline rush during the day before relaxing at a river-side camp for the evening to recount stories from the day’s adventure. The first section of the river is comprised of many grade 2 to 3 rapids which are a good warm up for what lies ahead - the famed Murray Gates, a 2 km gorge with a series of solid grade 3 to 4 rapids (5 in high-water) separated by deep pools.
Fuelstop: Indigenous Australians used to travel to this area to feast on Bogong Moths, but if you’re not as resourceful,  the Pickled Parrot in Khancoban is a good choice for a post-paddling feast.
Website

10. Deua National Park

2.5 hrs / 120 km / SE
Activity: Hiking, abseiling and caving
The Drawcard: While the name lacks imagination, the Big Hole, a 96 m deep 50 m wide chasm, is actually a fascinating feature that is one of the premiere attractions in the northern part of the Deua National Park. The Big Hole is easily accessible by a short 4 km walk from the Berlang Camping Area – be prepared to get your feet wet crossing the Shoalhaven River. The walk can be extended to 13 km (return) to take in the Marble Arch. For those with an appetite for adventure (and the relevant permits) it is possible to abseil into the Big Hole (it’s a long prussic out) and cave at Marble Arch. The area also offers great cycle touring – particularly as part of the popular multi-day route from Canberra to Moruya, via Araluen.
Fuelstop: Stop at a local pub at either Araluen and Majors Creek. They’re great spots to stop, relax and settle those hard-earned cravings on the drive back to Canberra.
Website