The Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve was established in 1936. Soon after, a koala enclosure was built and the park has since been expanded to cover 54 sq km. The reserve includes Hanging Rock, where excavations have found that Indigenous occupation of the area dates back at least 16 000 years.

The reserve has an endangered species breeding program for the eastern bettong (Bettongia gaimardi), the northern corroboree frog (Pseudophryne pengilleyi) and the southern brush-tailed wallaby (Petrogale penicillata), with a veterinary surgery on site. There are 22 marked walking trails through varied habitats for visitors to explore. Ranger talks and activities are scheduled in school holidays and on some weekends.

There is a visitor centre with exhibits and displays, a shop, cafe and an art gallery at the entrance to the reserve. There are picnic areas with barbeques and a nature discovery playground in the reserve.

Admission fees apply. Open everyday except 25 December.

Photo: Joy VanBuhler (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)