A High-Country Escape That Canberra Locals Keep to Themselves
Most people visit the ACT for parliament, museums and coffee. But less than an hour from the city centre, tucked deep inside Namadgi National Park, sits Broad Arrow Camp a quiet high-country site that rewards anyone willing to get off the tourist trail.
This is alpine camping without the crowds. Towering snow gums, a nearby creek, and dark skies that would embarrass most regional observatories. If you have ever wanted to camp in the mountains without booking six months in advance, this is your spot.
What Makes It Special
Broad Arrow is not the kind of place that fills up on long weekends. It doesn't have powered sites, amenity blocks or a camp host doing laps. What it has is space, silence and that rare feeling of actually being in the bush rather than alongside it.
The campsite sits within one of Australia's most underrated national parks. Namadgi covers nearly half of the ACT and most visitors don't make it past the visitor centre. That's your advantage. Push further in and you get the park largely to yourself big granite country, ancient Aboriginal cultural sites, and sub-alpine terrain that's stunning in every season.
Snow gums are spectacular here in autumn when the bark peels to reveal yellows and greens underneath. In winter, light snowfalls dust the ridgeline. Spring brings wildflowers and birdlife that's hard to believe is so close to a capital city.
Getting There
Head south from Canberra on the Tharwa Drive then into the park via Boboyan Road. A standard 4WD handles the tracks in dry conditions. After rain, sections can get slippery fast, so check conditions before you leave the ACT Parks road conditions page is worth bookmarking.
Permits are required for camping in Namadgi. Book through the ACT Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate before you go spots are limited and enforcement is genuine.
What to Do
Hiking is the main draw. The Mount Tennent trail offers panoramic views back over the Brindabellas and the Murrumbidgee corridor. The Yankee Hat walk is a must it leads to one of the most accessible Aboriginal rock art sites in the country.
Trout fishing is permitted in some waterways within the park. Check the current rules with ACT Fisheries before you pack the rods. Bring binoculars this park has gang-gang cockatoos, flame robins and the occasional wedge-tail.
At night, you are far enough from Canberra's light pollution for a genuinely clear sky. Bring a reclining Cranky Croc Camp Chair and just stay up.
What to Pack
The high country around Namadgi can drop sharply at night even in summer. A quality swag makes all the difference between a great sleep and a miserable one.
- Swag or sleeping system rated to at least 0°C — temperatures can surprise you
- Traction boards if you're heading in after rain
- All water you need — there is no treated water on site
- Firewood if permitted — check ACT fire conditions before you leave
- Layers — mornings at elevation are cold regardless of the forecast
| Cranky Croc Gear for This Trip: High country camping rewards gear that earns its keep. The Cranky Croc Inflatable Swag sets up in minutes and keeps you genuinely warm when the alpine air bites overnight. Pair it with a Cranky Croc Camp Chair for the night sky session and grab a Cranky Croc Camping Accessory or two for the cold mornings. This is the kind of camp where good gear stops being optional. |
Head to crankycroc.com.au to gear up before your next trip. Whether you need a quality swag, a proper camp chair or 4WD gear that handles the rough stuff, we have got you covered.
