What is Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve?
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is a protected valley about 40 minutes southwest of Canberra, where visitors can see kangaroos, emus, koalas and platypuses in natural bushland.
The reserve covers more than 5,000 hectares of forest, grassland and wetland in the Tidbinbilla Valley, bordering Namadgi National Park. Walking tracks range from short wetland loops to steep climbs onto the surrounding ranges.
The Sanctuary is a fenced wetland area with a loop path where visitors may spot platypuses, water birds and turtles. Other enclosures house koalas and the endangered northern corroboree frog.
Conservation and culture
Tidbinbilla plays an important role in breeding programs for threatened species such as the brush-tailed rock-wallaby and the northern corroboree frog. Many animals are later released into the wild.
The valley holds Aboriginal sites more than 20,000 years old, including Birrigai rock shelter. Its name is often linked to a Ngunnawal word.
The reserve was badly burned in the 2003 Canberra bushfires but has recovered. The nearby Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex, run with NASA, has a visitor centre explaining space tracking.
Did You Know?
Visitors can drive a loop road through the reserve and see kangaroos and emus grazing close to the road.