If you happen to be in Canberra, and you are somewhat bored with the city, as we were, why not take a day trip out to a couple of lovely spots where people donât usually go â ideal for us!
Drive about 50 KM from Canberra, and you will reach the Namadgi National Park. Turn into Corin Road and you are on your way to Gibraltar falls and the Corin dam.
This fairly wide road has practically no traffic and runs uphill all the way with lots of twists and turns, an absolute delight to drive on, especially if you like using your gearbox. You will be driving through a forest, which adds to the beauty of the drive.
Presently you will reach Gibraltar falls, a cascade waterfall on Gibraltar Creek at the edge of the Gibraltar Creek pine forest. It is quite secluded with a small parking lot (which tells you that not many visitors are expected) but there is a toilet, a camping site and even a picnic shelter with a gas barbeque.Â
 A short walk along a gravel trail takes you to the falls. It is by no means a huge waterfall, but it is very pretty, scenic and quiet. The creek drops all of 50 meters at this point, and that makes it quite a beautiful sight. Below the falls, Gibraltar creek enters a granite-walled gorge that extends for 800 meters through to Woods reserve. There are several walking/hiking trails leading from the falls into the woods, which could delight the avid hiker.
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Eventually we left the falls and continued on the drive to Corin dam, another quiet but very pretty spot.
It is an earth and rockfill embankment dam on the Cotter river which runs further to Canberra. There are hills all around, and the water in the Corin reservoir has a beautiful color which reflects the surrounding heights. The water is said to be very high quality because the dam collects rainfall from the hills around. The water is tapped from one of six different levels depending on the quality of water at different depths and sent to Canberra and the surrounding areas. When the reservoir gets full the excess water runs downstream to Bendora dam from which it is sent to a water treatment plant.
It is a very remote and peaceful place. You can walk, climb to a little viewing spot up on the adjacent hill, or just stand and gaze at nature. There are some great views from the lookout point of Mount Bimberi, the ACTâs highest, balding peak.
A lovely drive back, downhill this time (low gears and little braking if you are a driving nut) and you are back to the main road to Canberra. You could go via Tharwa and stop at a nice lookout after the Point Hut turnoff to get good views over Mt. Tennant on one side.
A fun day out, great scenery, no crowds and lots of peace and quiet â what more can one want?Â
The waterfalls look amazing. Sounds like a great idea to explore the surroundings of Canberra. Beautiful photos.
I love places that have unique and diverse things to do around the area. That waterfall looks amazing
Gibraltar falls and Corin dam. Looks incredible! Very pretty and is it allowed to have a dip in the dam (silly question I know but just wondered cause it looks so blueđ)
Gibraltar falls is beautiful, as is the dam. Two great suggestions for day trips from Canberra!
Remote and peaceful sounds like an ideal alternative to the sights and sounds of the city. It’s always good to get out into nature to recenter yourself.
I love being out amongst nature and it looks like you had the place to yourselves! I can imagine sitting by that waterfall with a picnic, absolute bliss!
Waterfalls and hiking are a perfect combination for a perfect trip. Especially so if the area is not too crowded đ And it’s so close to the city.
Oh, those waterfalls! I would love to hike in this area. And it’s only a short drive from the city. Perfect!
My hubby is a landscape photographer and loves any kind of rock formation, so this would be right up his alley. Looks like a beautiful spot!
Namadgi National Park sounds like a great place to relax and just enjoy the nature. It looks like a very peaceful place. The waterfall looks so amazing
Sounds like a great way to spend a day!
Heading off the beaten path on a road trip from Canberra to Gibraltar falls and Corin dam sounds like a great idea. Gibraltar falls look amazing and I am sure one of the highlights for us would be to head off along those hiking trails nearby. Thanks for all the details.
Good to know about beautiful national park which is at about 50 KM from Canberra. This Namadgi National Park looks worth visiting. And also some spots o Corin Road which leads to Gibraltar falls and the Corin dam.
Thanks for sharing how wonderful this part of Australia is. I am looking forward to taking my kids there.
I love exploring places a little outside of a city. Generally they are a quieter pace and have so many unique things to do and see. I love Gibraltar falls – so pretty!
I didn’t get as far as Canberra on my Aussie road trip but it looks like a lovely place to visit. Anywhere near water and mountains is good for me.
Love to find these hidden gems not far from town!
Oh how pretty the Corin dam is!
I just love the redish color it has, it almost looks surreal to me.
I love being in Nature and I love waterfalls so these day trips would suit me perfectly. Even though I spent 6 weeks in Australia I didnât get to this part so it was interesting to read about.
I can see why you would head for a day trip from Canberra to visit Gibraltar Falls. We would love to hike the area and explore. Love the different route back with a stop at Mount Tennent. We too never know where a day trip might take us.
I love that you found some great spots that people donât always go on a day trip from Canberra. Just our kind of spots too! I would definitely enjoy some quiet time enjoying the Gibraltar Falls. Peace and quiet are my kind of outing spots.
I love a day trip to some little-known sites! There is something so magical about having a place all to yourself! Gibraltar falls looks like a lovely spot – I can’t resist a waterfall! I hope I get to visit one day. Thanks for the great guide!
Looks like a beautiful drive. I love the quiet Gibraltar Falls- can’t wait to visit Canberra and drive out to see them!
Lol, so it wasnât just me that got in Canberra. Wish I had known about this drive, the falls and dam look lovely. Love these kind of hidden gems with no one else around.
What a great idea to escape from the city into the nature – especially when there is such a beauty just an hour away! The opportunity to spend time away from the city buzz often makes our lives happier!