10 Canberra Walks Worth Exploring

Canberra is a city that rewards exploring on foot. Around the capital, walking trails take you past national landmarks, rivers and water fronts, through native gardens and wetlands, into suburban reserves and up to some of the region’s best-known lookouts.

We’ve compiled a variety of walks, some are easy, accessible and close to the city centre, others with longer climbs, wildlife encounters with a mix of cultural stories and picturesque scenery.

From a relaxed 30-minute loop to a half-day hike, here are 10 Canberra walks to suit different interests, abilities and ways of exploring the city.

Lake Burley Griffin – Bridge to Bridge

Distance: 5 km | Difficulty: Easy | Time: 1–1.5 hours | Route: Loop
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes | Distance From Novotel Canberra: Approx. 1 km

For a walk that feels distinctly Canberra, start with the classic Bridge to Bridge loop around Lake Burley Griffin’s Central Basin.

The mostly flat route connects Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and Kings Avenue Bridge, with plenty to see along the way. Walk beside the lake and take in views across the National Triangle, with museums, galleries, monuments, parks and some of the capital’s most recognisable buildings close to the route. Our favourite attractions along the way include Questacon, the Canberra Visitors Centre and the Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery of Australia.

It’s an easy walk to fit into a morning or afternoon, with plenty of opportunities to stop for a coffee, visit an attraction or simply enjoy the view.

 

Australian National Botanic Gardens – Main Path

Distance: 1.4 km | Difficulty: Easy, Grade 1 | Time: Approx. 40 minutes | Route: Loop
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes | Distance From Novotel Canberra: Approx. 2 km

You don’t need to leave the city behind to immerse yourself in Australian landscapes.
The Main Path at the Australian National Botanic Gardens is a paved, step-free loop showcasing the diversity of Australian plants. Wander through the cool Rainforest Gully, beneath towering eucalypts and ancient conifers, with short detours leading into the Red Centre and Rock Gardens.
All slopes on the Main Path meet Australian wheelchair-access standards, making this one of the most accessible walks on the list.

 

Mount Ainslie Summit Walk

Distance: 4.5 km return | Difficulty: Moderate | Time: Approx. 1.5 hours | Route: Out and back
Wheelchair Accessible: No| Distance From Novotel Canberra: Approx. 3 km

Few views capture the design of Canberra quite like the summit of Mount Ainslie.
Beginning behind the Australian War Memorial, the Kokoda Track climbs through native bushland before reaching one of the city’s best-known lookouts. From the top, the carefully planned axis stretches along Anzac Parade, across Lake Burley Griffin and towards Parliament House.
The track includes steep sections, steps and uneven ground, making it a more energetic option than its relatively short distance suggests.

 

Jerrabomberra Wetlands – Kellys Swamp and Billabong Walk

Distance: Approx. 2.6 km | Difficulty: Easy | Time: 45–60 minutes | Route: Loop
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes | Distance From Novotel Canberra: Approx. 7 km

For a completely different side of Canberra, head to Jerrabomberra Wetlands.
Combining the Kellys Swamp Loop and Billabong Walk takes you through one of the city’s most important wetland habitats, with boardwalks, bird hides and plenty of opportunities to slow down and observe what’s around you.
More than 200 bird species have been recorded within the reserve, alongside frogs and other wetland wildlife. The accessible paths make this a particularly good choice for families, birdwatchers and anyone looking for a relaxed nature walk close to the city.

 

Ian Loiterton South Aranda Woodlands Walk

Distance: 2 km | Difficulty: Easy | Time: 30–45 minutes | Route: Loop
Wheelchair Accessible: No| Distance From Novotel Canberra: Approx. 7 km

Aranda Bushland is proof that an interesting nature walk doesn’t need to involve climbing a mountain.
The well-defined 2 km loop travels through a surprisingly varied landscape of swamp, grassland, heathland, woodland and forest. Eight interpretive signs along the trail explore the area’s Ngunnawal significance, geology, plants, animals and the way the landscape has changed over time.
Pick up the accompanying trail brochure at the entrance and take your time. It’s a short walk, but there’s plenty to discover along the way.

Mount Majura – Casuarina Walking Trail

Distance: 3.8 km | Difficulty: Moderate | Time: 1–1.5 hours | Route: Loop
Wheelchair Accessible: No| Distance From Novotel Canberra: Approx. 8 km

For summit views with a little less foot traffic, head to Mount Majura.
The Casuarina Walking Trail climbs through woodland to the highest hill in northern Canberra, opening to views across the city, Majura Valley and surrounding bushland.
The reserve is also an important wildlife corridor and protects significant native habitat, giving the walk as much appeal at ground level as it has from the summit.
Several trails intersect within the reserve, so download the Casuarina Walking Trail map before setting out.

One Tree Hill Summit

Distance: 9 km return | Difficulty: Moderate, Grade 3 | Time: Approx. 3 hours | Route: Out and back
Wheelchair Accessible: No | Distance From Novotel Canberra: Approx. 18 km

Starting from the historic village of Hall, One Tree Hill offers a longer walk without the sustained steep climbing of some Canberra summits.
The trail moves through open grazing country, wattles and eucalypt woodland before climbing to the summit, where broad views stretch towards the Brindabella Range and across northern Canberra.
There’s history here too. One Tree Hill played a role in the early surveying of the Canberra region, adding another layer to a walk that already feels quite different from the landscapes closer to the CBD.

Sanctuary Loop

Distance: 2.1 km | Difficulty: Easy, Grade 1 | Time: Approx. 30 minutes | Route: Loop
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes, assistance recommended | Distance From Novotel Canberra: Approx. 45 km

The Sanctuary Loop offers an easy introduction to the wildlife and landscapes of Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.

Flat trails and boardwalks wind through protected wetlands surrounded by bushland, with opportunities to spot platypus, turtles, bandicoots and a wide range of birdlife along the way.

With no steps or steep sections, it’s a relaxed option for visitors wanting to experience Tidbinbilla without committing to a longer bushwalk.

Birrigai Time Trail

Distance: 3 km | Difficulty: Moderate, Grade 3 | Time: Approx. 1 hour | Route: Loop
Wheelchair Accessible: No | Distance From Novotel Canberra: Approx. 45 km

The Birrigai Time Trail combines a relatively short walk with a deeper look at the cultural history of the landscape.

The trail leads to Birrigai Rock Shelter and introduces visitors to the long Ngunnawal connection to Tidbinbilla, including stories of how the landscape has been lived in, understood and cared for over thousands of years.

It’s a walk that rewards taking your time and looking beyond the scenery.

Gibraltar Peak

Distance: 8.2 km return | Difficulty: Hard, Grade 4 | Time: 3–4 hours | Route: Out and back
Wheelchair Accessible: No | Distance From Novotel Canberra: Approx. 45 km

For those looking for a more challenging walk, Gibraltar Peak delivers one of Tidbinbilla’s most rewarding climbs.

The trail moves through changing vegetation and increasingly rugged terrain before reaching the granite peak, where expansive views stretch across Tidbinbilla Valley and the surrounding ranges.

With steep and rough sections along the way, this is one for walkers comfortable with a longer hike and a substantial climb.

 

Staying at Novotel Canberra gives central access to these walks, making it easy to see another side of the capital while you’re here.

Distances and walking times are approximate. Conditions can change, so check current park information, weather, fire danger and track closures before setting out.