Canberra - Australia 2004 - page 604

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve This is a great place to see native ani-
mals such as kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, platypuses, and birds in their natural
environment. Unlike other wildlife parks around the country, this one has
plenty of space, so sometimes you'll have to look hard to spot the animals. (On
a recent quick visit, I saw a few birds and not much else, but on previous visits
I've been almost stomped on by kangaroos.) A guide is available from the visi-
tor center. Go Bush Tours ( & 02/6231 3023; www.gobushtours.com.au) runs
tours to the reserve as well as the neighboring Canberra Deep Space Communi-
cation Complex for A$66 (US$43). This includes morning tea and lunch.
Tidbinbilla. Paddys River Rd., RMB 141 via Tharwa, ACT 2620. & 02/6205 1233. Fax [phone]. www.
environment.act.gov.au. Admission A$9 (US$5.85) per vehicle day. Daily 9am-6pm (8pm in summer). Visitor
center Mon-Fri 9am-4:30pm; Sat-Sun 9am-5:30pm. No public bus service, but several tour companies offer
programs that include the reserve
BOTANIC GARDENS & A NEARBY NATIONAL PARK
The Australian National Botanic Gardens , Clunies Ross Street, Black Moun-
tain, Acton ( & 02/6250 9540 ), are home to the best collection of Australian
native plants anywhere. The gardens are situated on 51 hectares (126 acres) on
the lower slopes of Black Mountain and feature a Eucalyptus Lawn containing
more than 600 species of eucalyptus, a rainforest area, a Tasmanian alpine gar-
den, and self-guided walking trails. Free, guided tours depart from the visitor
center at 11am on weekdays and 11am and 2pm on weekends. The gardens are
open daily from 9am to 5pm (to 8pm in summer). The visitor center is open
daily from 9:30am to 4:30pm. There's no bus service to the gardens.
The Namadgi National Park covers almost half of the Australian Capital
Territory. Parts of the park, which has rolling plateaus, good trout-fishing
streams, and dense forest, are just 30km (19 miles) from Canberra. Marked hik-
ing trails can be found throughout the park. Spring is the best time to visit for
the prolific display of bush flowers. In the past, sections of the park were cleared
for sheep grazing, but these days the pastures are popular with hundreds of gray
kangaroos. (They're easiest to spot in the early morning and late afternoon.) At
Yankee Hat, off the Nass/Boboyan Road, is an Aboriginal rock-art site. The
Namadgi Visitors Centre ( & 02/6207 2900 ), on the Nass/Boboyan Road,
3km (1 3 ⁄ 4 miles) south of the township of Tharwa, has maps and information on
walking trails.

Moments

6 Outdoor Pursuits
BIKING With 120km (74 miles) of bike paths, Canberra is made for explor-
ing on two wheels. Rent a bike from Mr. Spoke's Bike Hire on Barrine Drive
near the ferry terminal in Acton ( & 02/6257 1188 ). Bikes for adults cost A$10
(US$6.50) for the first hour and A$9 (US$5.85) for each hour afterward; rates
are A$9 (US$5.85) for kids, going down to A$8 (US$5.20) for each subsequent
hour.
BOATING Burley Griffin Boat Hire, on Barrine Drive near the ferry termi-
nal in Acton ( & 02/6249 6861 ), rents paddle boats for A$20 (US$13) per hour
and canoes for A$14 (US$9.10) per hour. Row 'n' Ride, near the MacDermott
Place Boat Ramp, Belconnen ( & 02/6254 7838 ), is open on weekends and
school and public holidays and offers canoes from A$9 (US$5.85) per hour,
kayaks for A$10 (US$6.50) per hour, and mountain bikes for A$9 (US$5.85)
per hour.