Flea Creek Campground – Brindabella National Park

For a rugged and rewarding high-country adventure just a stone’s throw from Canberra, Flea Creek Campground is a top-tier destination for self-sufficient campers. Nestled in a beautiful, sheltered valley within the Brindabella National Park, this popular free campground is situated on the banks of the crystal-clear Flea Creek. The journey in is a key part of the experience, requiring a 4WD vehicle to navigate the steep and winding forest trails, including a concrete causeway crossing of the Goodradigbee River. This adventurous access ensures the campground remains a peaceful sanctuary for those properly equipped to reach it.

The campground itself is a large, open, grassy flat, providing plenty of space for tents and off-road camper trailers to find a prime spot by the creek. The main attraction is the beautiful creek itself, with its series of clear, cold swimming holes being the perfect antidote to a summer’s day. The area is a fantastic base for exploring the rugged beauty of the Brindabellas, with numerous 4WD tracks and hiking trails crisscrossing the mountains. This is a classic back-to-basics bush camp, with facilities limited to non-flush toilets and wood fire pits. Campers must be completely self-reliant, bringing in all their own drinking water and firewood, and taking all their rubbish with them when they leave. The feeling of being deep in the high country, enjoying a campfire under a brilliant starry sky, makes Flea Creek an unforgettable experience for those seeking an authentic Australian bush escape.

• Website: nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
• Phone Number: 1300 072 757 (NPWS Bookings)
• GPS Coordinates: -35.33872, 148.75428

Site Information

• Location: Brindabella National Park, west of Canberra.
• Site suitable for: Tents, off-road camper trailers.
• Road access: 4WD with high clearance is essential. The route involves steep gravel roads and river crossings. Roads are subject to closure in wet or snowy weather.
• Site surface: Grass and dirt.
• Camping permitted: Yes, this is a free campground, but bookings may be required via the NPWS website to manage numbers.
• Maximum overnight stays: Check NPWS guidelines.
• Facilities: Non-flush (long-drop) toilets, wood barbecues/fire pits.
• Picnic tables: Yes.
• Potable water: No. Bring all your own drinking water.
• Mobile phone coverage: None.
• TV reception: None.
• Onsite public toilets: Yes.
• Rubbish bins: No. All rubbish must be carried out.
• Open fires: Permitted in designated fire pits, subject to fire bans. Bring your own firewood.
• Generator use: Not permitted.
• Number of sites available: Multiple unmarked sites in a large area.

Essentials to Bring

• A well-prepared 4WD with recovery equipment.
• All drinking and washing water.
• Rubbish bags to take all waste with you.
• Your own firewood and axe.
• A personal locator beacon (PLB) is highly recommended for this remote area.

Activities

• Pet friendly: No. Pets are not permitted in National Parks.
• Fishing: Yes, trout fishing in the creek and nearby rivers. A NSW Recreational Fishing Licence is required.
• Short walks: Explore the creek line and surrounding forest tracks.

Local Amenities (in Canberra)

• Local Pubs:
  • The George Harcourt Inn (~45 km)
  • The Old Canberra Inn (~50 km)
  • A huge range of options in Canberra’s CBD.
• Places to Eat:
  • An extensive range of world-class cafes and restaurants in Canberra’s inner suburbs like Braddon and Kingston (~55 km).
• Local Attractions:
  • Cotter Dam Recreation Area (~30 km)
  • Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve (~45 km)
  • National Arboretum Canberra (~45 km)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Cotter Campground (~30 km)
  • Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) (~55 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • Coree Campground (in the same park, also 4WD)
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) (~55 km)
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Multiple service stations on the western edge of Canberra (~45 km).
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Canberra. It is essential to arrive at the park fully supplied.
• Public Toilets:
  • Onsite. The next closest are at Cotter Avenue Recreation Area (~30 km).

Seasonal Weather Forecast: Brindabella Ranges (High Altitude)

• Summer (December – February): Mild to warm days with cool nights. Perfect for swimming. Average temperatures from 12°C to 26°C.
• Autumn (March – May): Cool, crisp days and cold nights. The autumn colours are spectacular. Temperatures range from 4°C to 20°C.
• Winter (June – August): Very cold, with severe frosts, ice, and frequent heavy snowfall. Road closures are very common. Temperatures range from -3°C to 9°C.
• Spring (September – November): Cold to cool days that can be windy and changeable. Snow is still possible. Temperatures range from 3°C to 19°C.