Sanctuary Loop
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is a wildlife haven and, following a recent visit, it quickly became my new favourite place in Canberra.
Less than an hour’s drive from Canberra’s centre, Tidbinbilla sits on the fringe of Namadgi National Park and covers approximately 55 square kilometres. There are 24 signposted walks at Tidbinbilla. This is one of them.
The Sanctuary Loop is an accessible nature trail surrounded by bush and a predator-proof fence. The trail meanders along boardwalks and sealed paths and over interconnected wetland ponds. Side-trips offer the opportunity to explore areas where you may see koalas and platypus.
Summary
Distance 4km Time 1 - 3 hours
Level of Difficulty Easy
Highlights
Being in nature and offline
Wildlife - there’s plenty here
Wetlands
Black Flats Dam and platypus
Koala Path
Family-friendly trails
Trail Tips
The trail begins at the Sanctuary Car Park but you can also start from Ribbon Gum and Eucalypt Forest car parks.
Take the two suggested side trails shown on the map for your best chance of seeing platypus and koalas.
There is no phone reception in Tidbinbilla, so I recommend downloading the map before you arrive or picking up a paper copy from the Visitor Centre near the reserve entrance. Wi-Fi is available at the Visitor Centre.
Entry fees apply.
Walking the Trail
The trail sets off from the Sanctuary Car Park and you can walk the loop in either direction. The route is easy to follow and apart from a few optional diversions - uphill into bushland and a short children’s trail over the creek - the path is flat.
As you wind past ponds, reeds and open bushland, there are plenty of opportunities to spot birds and other wildlife including Long-Nosed Potoroos and Southern Brown Bandicoots. Seating areas are scattered along the track, inviting you to take your time.
Seating areas are dotted along the path
Along the loop you’ll also pass the reserve’s Vet Centre and the small Ribbon Gum Theatre, featuring artwork by Ngunnawal artist Jim Williams and others.
Side path to Black Flats Dam
Near the Ribbon Gum Theatre you’ll see signs to Black Flats Dam. This is the place to go for your best chance of spotting platypus. I saw three when I was there, which was a real treat as I’d never seen a single one ‘in the wild’.
There’s a picnic table near the dam and steps where you can sit quietly waiting for the bubbles that signal one of these truly unique creatures is about to surface.
Side path to the Eucalypt Forest and koalas
From the theatre, in the opposite direction, follow signs leading to the Ribbon Gum car park. Cross the car park and the road beyond to the Eucalypt Forest car park where you’ll find access to the Koala Path.
This short walk takes you through the Eucalypt Forest, another fenced area that houses koalas. At the start of the path is a smaller enclosure, where you have your best chance of seeing the koalas up close. Wander the Koala Path and look for other free-ranging koalas among the gum trees, as well as potoroos and wallabies.
Cross the road to reenter the Sanctuary and finish the loop.
Wildlife and Conservation at Tidbinbilla
Tidbinbilla plays an important role in wildlife conservation and in the protection of threatened species such as the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby and the Northern Corroboree Frog. The Sanctuary helps protect vulnerable species, while the management and protection of habitats throughout the reserve allow other native species to thrive.
Visiting Tidbinbilla and having the opportunity to see so much wildlife and to walk through wilderness landscapes made me grateful that places like this exist. I can’t wait to go back.
In the area
There’s plenty more to explore within Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve if you have time. Stop by the Visitor Centre near the entrance for information on current wildlife sightings and other short walks.
The Nature Discovery Playground en route to the Sanctuary is great for families, and there’s a great barbecue and picnic area near the playground .
To learn about the first inhabitants of the area, try the Birrigai Time Trail, a short walk near the Visitor Centre. Or for more of a bushwalk with cascades and (possibly) lyrebirds, try the Cascade Trail.
