In Canberra, you don’t need to leave the city to enjoy the great outdoors – our city planners wove nature into its fabric.

There’s something about our abundant green space that’s calming – a perfect tonic for busy modern life. But having the outdoors on our doorstep also means adventure is only minutes away.

Here are six ways to make the most of our great outdoors (and our shorter commutes mean you have more time to enjoy them!).

1. Walk, hike and run

You don’t need to venture far to find interesting and varied walks. Indeed, more than half of the ACT is protected as nature reserve. You’ll find trails within walking distance of our town centres, making it easy to squeeze in a walk before or after work (or even in your lunch hour!). Keen for a bracing climb and brilliant views? May we suggest tackling one of our mountains? Mount Ainslie, Red Hill, Mount Taylor and Mount Painter are four of our favourites.

Or you could conquer the Centenary Trail. It’s a 145-kilometre self-guided trail that loops around the ACT through urban and rural environments offering spectacular views and scenery. Of course, you don’t need to walk its entire length in one go – it’s divided into daily sections that you can join and leave as you wish.

In addition to the green spaces, lakes and parks within the city itself, we’re very close to National Parks where you can walk or hike to stunning waterfalls. Gorges, rivers and snow-capped Brindabella mountains are our playground.

2. Choose your ride

Canberra is tailor-made for cyclists, with a network of over 1,000 kilometres of shared paths and 2,500 kilometres of footpaths woven throughout the city. Our outer suburbs are so well connected that many cyclists ride to work every day.

University of Canberra Stromlo Forest Park has become something of a mecca for mountain bikers and cross country runners. The 1200-hectare park is only 15 minutes from the city centre and boasts a 1.2 kilometres criterium cycling circuit, a 2.5 kilometres grass cross country running track, equestrian trails, pump track, a freestyle BMX facility and over 50km of mountain bike trails for riders of all abilities.  

Horse riders can access about 500 km of designated equestrian trails on public land in the ACT. There are also areas such as plantation forests where horse riding is permitted on an extensive management trail network.

3. Float and boat

You don’t need to go to the coast to enjoy the beach. In fact, you might be surprised to discover just how many incredibly beautiful swimming spots are on the Canberra’s doorstep. Pack a picnic and the sunscreen and enjoy a day by the river.

You can also captain your own e-boat or go rowing, sailing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding or fishing on Lake Burley Griffin. There are plenty of ways to enjoy the water!

4. Swim and splash

If you prefer pools, Canberra has a comprehensive range of indoor and outdoor public aquatic facilities for swimmers, families, and fitness enthusiasts spread across its districts. The Canberra Olympic Pool provides year-round swimming and diving facilities and the modern Stromlo Aquatic Centre boasts a 50-metre competition pool and extensive water play areas. The Lakeside Leisure Centre in Tuggeranong is another popular spot, featuring a wave pool and water slides. Discover Canberra’s public and private pools.

5. Find adventure in our national parks

The ACT has some of the most accessible nature reserves in Australia – they’re made for the outdoor enthusiast and they’re all within easy reach of the city! No matter if you’re into camping, climbing, fishing or birdwatching, you’ll find the perfect spot to indulge your pastime.

Just a short drive from Canberra, Namadgi National Park provides rugged wilderness experiences with sites like Orroral Campground, perfect for stargazing and wildlife watching. For a tranquil riverside retreat, head to Cotter Campground, nestled along the Cotter River with excellent facilities for families. Other popular spots include the serene Woods Reserve Campground and Honeysuckle Campground.

You also don’t have to go far for snow play – Corin Forest Mountain Resort is just 45 minutes from the heart of Canberra in the Tidbinbilla Mountain Ranges. There’s space for skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing, as well as an exhilarating Alpine Slide that descends 1.2 kilometres through the forest. Want even more adventure? Take a two-hour drive to the Alpine areas and ski resorts within Kosciusko National Park to enjoy some of Australia’s best snow fields.

6. Pack a picnic

From the rolling tree-studded hills of the National Arboretum, to the National Botanic Gardens, to places where you can get stunning views as the sun rises or sets, there is no shortage of beautiful places to enjoy the outdoors. Head to one of these picnic spots or discover hidden nature gems.