Permits for Australian Capital Territory

 General Information

As far as can be ascertained, there are no areas in the ACT where any form of aboriginal permit is available or required. However, there are a whole series of National Parks, Forests and Reserves where camping is permitted and at least two where some limited four wheel drive touring is available. Most areas also provide quite reasonable facilities and some more remote camping opportunities are also available. Camping where facilities are offered is normally by permit or pre booked camp site – fees generally apply.

The most convenient way of accessing general information about the Parks, Forests and Reserves is to go the Territory and Municipal Services Department website and down load a 28 page PDF file which contains all of the information. The website is at www.tams.act.gov.au then click on the "play" button, ("play" in this context means recreational playing), and then on "Parks, Forests and Reserves" and then click on the "Get Out There" PDF file download.

There are a range of systems in place to collect camping fees. In some areas you can just arrive and pay at an "Honesty Box". In others, you can just select your camp site and at some stage a Ranger will come around and collect the appropriate fees. In others, for example, Blue Range (which is the only one nominated in the booklet where some limited four wheel drive touring is facilitated) you can book on-line by going to www.bookings.act.gov.au and clicking on "Camping". The other two on-line sites are Woods Reserve and Old Kowen Homestead Reserve. Whilst the info says you can book on-line, it is actually done by way of an email message. The address is nominated on each of the three on-line sites.

 Namadgi National Park

Namadgi National Park also offers some limited opportunities for 4WD touring and remote area camping, (primarily in the Cotter Dam and Brindabella Ranges areas of the Park); however there is no mention of this in the 28 page PDF download booklet. The best option for gaining information about Namadgi National Park is to contact the Namadgi Visitor Centre on 02 6207 2900 or call in when you are in the area and pick up the information available plus a map which shows the recreational vehicle tracks which are open and available for touring. The Visitor Centre address is Naas Road (2k’s past Tharwa) in the ACT. It’s well signposted. There is also a website with some limited information at www.australianalps.deh.gov.au/parks/namadgi.html

TIP	If you are dealing with a National Park Service or any Government Agency and you have a Seniors Card, Pension or Concession Card of some description; always ask whether a discounted rate applies.

 Final Word from the Author

Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of this information, no responsibility can be accepted for either the accuracy of the contents or for any errors or omissions.

With your assistance we might also endeavour to maintain this information in an updated form. So if you wish to amend, or add to any of the information contained in this section or in any of the relevant State’s information, please type in the article feedback box below. You could also contact the undersigned on (02) 9523 9266 or email john.greig@bigpond.com

This article has been extracted from a document supplied by the contributing author and the Toyota Land Cruiser Club Of Australia Sydney.

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