The best hikes from bus stations in the Australian Capital Territory

Mount Majura rises to 890 meters and is the highest peak in suburban Canberra. The summit can be reached by several tracks, including Mount Majura from Mackenzie Street, and the Mount Majura Summit Loop. The summit is marked with a white AirServices Australia Radar Tower, and there are nice views from beyond the trees. The area is dog-friendly on a leash, popular with locals, runners, bushwalkers and birdwatchers.

At around 812 metres above sea level, the summit of Black Mountain opens up to wide views across Canberra, including Lake Burley Griffin and the surrounding hills. The area is more exposed, with rocky ground and scattered lookout points. The telecommunications tower stands prominently at the top. It is worth taking your time here, with different angles looking back over the city and surrounding reserves.

Black Mountain Nature Reserve covers around four hundred and thirty four hectares on the northern side of Lake Burley Griffin, protecting a large area of dry eucalypt forest and sandstone-based ecosystems. The geology supports high plant diversity, with over six hundred and sixty species recorded, including around sixty orchid species and dozens of rare plants. It’s also an important habitat for birdlife, including species like the scarlet robin and gang gang cockatoo. There’s no entry fee, with basic facilities like picnic tables near the main access points.

The track to the summit climbs steadily through dry eucalypt forest, following a well-marked route toward the top of Black Mountain. It’s a moderate walk with some steeper sections, uneven ground, and exposed roots along the way. As you gain elevation, the vegetation begins to thin slightly, with occasional breaks in the trees giving partial views across Canberra. It’s a popular route, but still feels like proper bushland walking, especially in the quieter sections away from the road.

One Tree Hill is the highest point on the Canberra Centenary Trail, sitting on the border between the ACT and New South Wales. From the open hilltop, there are sweeping views that extend across Canberra’s northern suburbs, the rural plains around Hall, and the distant Brindabella Range. A trig point marks the summit, making it a rewarding destination after the steady climb.

Canberra Centenary Trail is a long-distance walking and cycling route that forms a 145-kilometre loop around the Australian Capital Territory. In this rural section near Hall, the trail follows easy farm paths and grassy hills as it approaches the climb to One Tree Hill. This quieter part of the route offers expansive views of farmland and distant ranges, giving the walk a remote feel despite being close to Canberra.

Hall is a small historic village on the northern edge of the ACT and a common starting point for the route to One Tree Hill. The path from the village quickly leaves the streets behind and climbs through open farmland toward the ridge. Its quiet rural setting is a charming gateway to the surrounding countryside and nearby tracks.

Built in honour of all Australians who have died as a result of war, this museum, memorial, and archive consists of five buildings and a sculpture garden. The museum is open every day aside from Christmas and the site hosts commemoration services on ANZAC and Remembrance Days.