Cotter Catchment Lookout Track ACT (1.86km)
Cotter River
Nearest Town
The closest suburbs to the trailhead are Duffy and Wright, ACT
Starting Location
Trailhead car park on Brindabella Road
Finish Location
Trailhead car park on Brindabella Road
Trailhead car park
Best Time of the Year to Walk
Year round
Cotter Catchment Lookout Track Review
Recently we have undertaken a series of walks in and around the Cotter Recreation Area on the western edge of Canberra with a number of these such as the Honyong Walking Track and the Cotter Dam Discovery Trail providing views to the Cotter Dam wall from different angles. The Cotter Catchment Lookout Track is another of these walks but in this case, you are looking down on the Dam and Dam wall from above.
This walk is one of two, along with the longer Mount McDonald Summit Track, that start from a smallish car park on Brindabella Road, located up above the main Recreation Area itself. The car park isn’t huge but it will fit about 5-6 cars and has good interpretation material on the two walks and the surrounding areas. There are no toilet or water facilities at this site however the Cotter Recreation Area is only about a five minute drive away.
Start the walk by heading up hill on the obvious trail behind the interpretation signage. The walk to the lookout is mostly uphill apart from one small section and will take you approximately about 15-20 minutes to reach. The trail is well formed and easy to follow. About 150 metres prior to the lookout, you will reach a road and to get to the lookout you need to branch to the left and head towards the obvious raised area. The right turn will take you up to the summit of Mount McDonald. Once you reach the lookout spend time taking in the views which include looking down towards the Dam and the Dam wall. This lookout also contains a seat and it’s own interpretation signage.
The return to the car park is just a matter of turning around and heading back the way you came. All up this walk can be comfortably completed in around 45 minutes including time for a rest and look around at the lookout.
Trailhead signage
Trail information
Trails map
Seat at the trailhead
Trail marking arrows
Trail example
Go straight to the lookout or turn right to Mount McDonald
Approaching the lookout
Panorama view of the Dam from the lookout
Lookout interpretation signage
Seat at the lookout
Video taken at the lookout
Marker sign
Heading back down the hill
Returning to the car park
Getting There
Northern trailhead at Casuarina Sands is around 29 km from the Canberra GPO and around a 30 minute drive
Close up of Trail start
Turnoff into the car park
Trailhead car park
Things to Know
- Phone: There is phone signal (Telstra) on this track
- Water: You need to bring your own water or a filter
- Toilets: There are toilets located at the Cotter River Recreation area
- Trail: This trail consists of formed track, small sections of management road and occasional small bridge sections
- Dogs: No dogs allowed
- Camping: No camping allowed although there is a campground nearby
- Other:
- This walk is an out and walk back experience
- Bring fly repellent in the hotter months
- Bring adequate shade (hat, long sleeves etc) in the hotter months
Disclaimer
This walk was undertaken by the team from Australian Hiker