Cotter Campground

Alerts

30 March 2023 until further notice
Sections of Cotter Pines Mountain Bike Trails are closed until further notice. Please adhere to all signage onsite..

Book online for general camping, camper-trailers and small vans.

Book online

Cotter Campground is set on the banks of the beautiful Cotter River near where it meets the Murrumbidgee River.

The campground caters for a wide range of camping styles from swags to camper-trailers and large vans. The campground is wheelchair accessible. Electric and gas barbecues, fireplaces, shelters and picnic tables are provided. Hot showers, potable water, flushing toilets and dishwashing facilities are also provided.

Cotter Campground provides easy access to walking tracks, wildlife, fishing and canoeing. If you're lucky, you may see platypus swimming in the early morning or in the evening. Emus and kangaroos also frequently visit the campground.

From the campground, it's an easy drive to the scenic Brindabella Range and northern Namadgi National Park. Use the campground as a base to access nearby Stromlo Forest Park or explore the Cotter Recreation Area, or travel further afield to explore the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, historic Tharwa village or Canberra city.

No dogs allowed.

Barbecue shelter and camp set up at Cotter Campground.

What you'll see

Cotter Campground ranger station with caravans in the background.

What you'll see

At Cotter Campground, you can see:

platypus in the early morning and in the evening, emus, kangaroos and wombats
Cotter Avenue nearby
Cotter Bend nearby
Casuarina Sands nearby
Moores Hill Lookout nearby
Grasstree Lookout nearby

Things to do

Activities

Features

BBQs - electric
BBQs - gas
Canoe / kayak entry point
Drinking water
Fireplace (communal)
Picnic tables
Shelter - picnic
Showers
Toilets
Walking track/s
Wash up facilities
Wheelchair access

Restricted or prohibited

Dogs prohibited

The maximum booking duration for this campground is 2 weeks within any 6-week period

Walking tracks

A section of the river with walking path, with recreation area in the background, at Cotter Avenue.

Walking tracks

Stay alert for slippery surfaces and trip hazards when walking or running near waterways. For more tips on how to reduce your risk around waterways, visit the safety page.

The Bullen Track

Distance: 4.5 km return
Time suggested: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate

This fascinating walking trail explores both sides of the Cotter River before climbing up the side of the Bullen Range then down again to cross Paddys River. There is no bridge so take caution when crossing the river. After crossing Paddys River, the track winds its way upward to end at Cotter Cave, which is closed to the public due to safety and conservation concerns. However, you can still see into the cave and learn about some of the history of mineral exploration in the ACT.

Ngunnawal Country and People

The waterways on Ngunnawal Country have sustained all life including their people, the plants and animals. The Murrumbidgee is part of Ngunnawal songlines, and pathways throughout Ngunnawal Country.

Songlines are the memory code that gives Ngunnawal people information from the landscape to tell the stories of vital knowledges, cultural values and wisdom.

Before you go/How to get there

Before you go

Prepare by:

understanding safety
checking alerts
checking water quality before swimming
making a campground booking online

Remember:

mobile phone reception may be unreliable
abide by campfire usage guidelines:
- bring your firewood with you
- only use constructed fireplaces provided
- do not light a fire a on a day of total fire ban
- keep 3 metres around the fireplace clear of flammable material
- remain in attendance at all times
- completely extinguish the fire before leaving
you can bring your own gas barbecue
check the recreational fishing rules

Cotter Campground is part of the Cotter Recreation Area, a Special Purpose Reserve protected under the Nature Conservation Act 2014. Thank you for taking care of the natural environment.

How to get there

Cotter Campground is located at 1691 Cotter Road, Stromlo. It is 25 minutes' drive west of Canberra's city centre.

Parking is available.

Boundary mapping is indicative only.

More information

If you notice any issues during your visit:

report maintenance issues to Access Canberra
report vandalism or other illegal activities to the police on 131 444
in an emergency, call 000

Find out about:

There are dog-friendly camping areas at:

In a life threatening emergency dial Triple Zero (000)

triple zero 000

5124 0000

6201 6111

1800 629 354

6205 1065

13 11 26

5124 9977

(02) 6205 1700

1800 022 222

13 25 00

Cotter Campground

Alerts

What you'll see

Things to do

Activities

Features

Restricted or prohibited

Walking tracks

The Bullen Track

Ngunnawal Country and People

Before you go

How to get there

More information