Cotter Campground, Stromlo ACT
A cherished institution for generations of Canberrans and a beautiful discovery for visitors, the Cotter Campground is a magnificent nature-based escape just a short 25-minute drive from the city’s heart. Nestled in a picturesque valley on the banks of the beautiful Cotter River, this campground offers the perfect blend of a genuine bush camping experience with the convenience of excellent, well-maintained facilities. It has been a beloved destination for family holidays, weekend getaways, and school camps for decades, and its recent upgrades have only enhanced its appeal. The campground is spread out across expansive, shady, and grassy flats, providing a huge range of unpowered sites suitable for everything from tents and swags to large caravans and motorhomes.
The main attraction is the stunning natural setting. The campground provides direct access to the Cotter River, with its clear, cool waters and large, sandy swimming holes that are an absolute delight in summer. It’s a paradise for kids and adults alike, perfect for swimming, kayaking, and liloing. The surrounding Murrumbidgee River Corridor is rich with wildlife, and it’s common to see kangaroos grazing peacefully on the campground lawns, while the river corridor is home to platypus, rakali (native water rats), and a huge variety of birdlife.
Unlike many bush camps, the Cotter boasts outstanding amenities, including multiple clean toilet blocks with flushing toilets and, most importantly, hot showers. There are also free electric barbecues and wood-fired barbecue pits (check for fire bans), making it perfect for a classic Aussie cook-up. The campground serves as an ideal base for exploring the wider region, including the impressive Cotter Dam lookout, the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, and the Mount Stromlo Observatory. Given its popularity, especially on weekends and school holidays, booking online in advance is essential to secure a spot in this iconic Canberra retreat.
Site Information
- Location: In the Cotter Valley, on the banks of the Cotter River, west of Canberra.
- Site Suitable For: Tents, Camper Trailers, Caravans, Motorhomes, Big Rigs.
- Road Access: Sealed roads all the way to the campground.
- Site Surface: Large, level grassed areas.
- Camping Permitted: Yes, unpowered sites only. Booking online in advance is mandatory.
- Maximum Overnight Stays: Check the booking website for current limits.
- Number of Powered Sites: None.
- Number of Un-powered Sites: Extensive unpowered camping areas.
Facilities
- Facilities: Multiple amenity blocks with flushing toilets and hot showers, free electric BBQs, wood BBQs/fire pits, dishwashing sinks.
- Picnic Tables: Yes, scattered throughout the campground and at the adjacent Cotter Avenue day-use area.
- Potable Water: Yes, drinking water taps are available throughout the grounds.
- Mobile Phone Coverage: Limited and unreliable. Telstra provides the best chance of a signal.
- TV Reception: Poor to non-existent.
- Onsite Public Toilets: Yes.
- Ullage: No dump point. The nearest public dump points are in Canberra (e.g., EPIC).
- Rubbish Bins: Yes.
- Open Fires: Permitted in designated wood BBQ pits only, subject to total fire bans. Bring your own firewood.
- Generator Use: Prohibited.
Essentials & Activities
- Essentials to Bring: Swimming gear, kayaks, firewood, food supplies (no shops on site), hiking shoes.
- Pet Friendly: No. Domestic animals (including dogs) are strictly prohibited to protect the native wildlife.
- Fishing: Fishing is permitted in the Cotter River (ACT fishing licence required).
- Short Walks: Excellent short walks including the Cotter Dam Discovery Trail and the Bullen Loop.
Local Amenities
- Local Pubs:
- The Weston Club, Weston (approx. 18 km)
- The Statesman Hotel, Curtin (approx. 20 km)
- The Canberra Irish Club, Weston (approx. 18 km)
- Places to Eat: The nearest cafes and restaurants are in the Weston Creek and Woden Town Centre areas of Canberra.
- Local Attractions:
- Cotter Dam Lookout and Cotter Avenue Recreation Area
- Mount Stromlo Observatory (approx. 15 km)
- Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve (approx. 25 km)
- National Arboretum Canberra (approx. 20 km)
- Nearest Caravan Parks:
- Alivio Tourist Park Canberra (approx. 25 km)
- Southside Village (Canberra South Motor Park) (approx. 25 km)
- Next Free Camps: Very limited near Canberra. Low-cost camping is available at Blue Range Hut (further into the forest).
- Nearest Dump Points: Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC).
- Nearest Petrol Station: Weston Creek or Kambah suburbs of Canberra (approx. 18-20 km).
- Drinking Water Resupply: Available onsite.
- Public Toilets: Available onsite.
Seasonal Weather Forecast
- Summer (Dec – Feb): Warm to hot. Perfect for swimming in the river. Can be busy with local families. Average temperatures range from 13°C to 28°C.
- Autumn (Mar – May): Beautiful clear days and crisp nights. The deciduous trees in the area provide lovely autumn colour. Temperatures average 7°C to 20°C.
- Winter (Jun – Aug): Cold, especially overnight. Days are often clear and sunny but cool. Nights frequently drop below freezing with heavy frosts. Essential to have warm gear. Temperatures range from 0°C to 12°C.
- Spring (Sep – Nov): A beautiful season as the landscape greens up and wildflowers emerge. Days become warmer but nights are still cool. Temperatures average 6°C to 20°C.