Mount Tennent

Guide updated 26 Aug 2026 · verify live track status with Parks ACT

Parks ACT: start at Namadgi Visitor Centre, Woodland Walk, then Mt Tennent Track to Cypress Pine Lookout (4.5 km return / 2 hours) or continue to the summit (15 km return / 6 hours). Fire tower views. Cycling on the fire trail only.

Decision summary

Best for: A hard day that starts at the Visitor Centre car park
Skip if: You wanted Yankee Hat’s grassland. This is a mountain.
Time needed: 2 hours to the lookout · 6 hours to the summit
Dogs: Dogs are not allowed in Namadgi National Park. Parks ACT notes a limited exception for dogs in vehicles travelling between the ACT and NSW on Boboyan or Brindabella Roads — VERIFY current policy. Assistance animals follow official rules.
Kids: Cypress Pine Lookout maybe. Summit no unless they already hike Grade 4.
Entry / booking catch: Free. Visitor Centre hours do not gate the car park walk — still use them for conditions.
Today’s alerts: Check Parks ACT change-of-conditions (not this page)

Planning from official Parks ACT notes. We have not walked this track for this guide. Confirm signed distances and open/closed status on the day.

Do not pair: Do not add Booroomba after a Tennent summit.

Turnaround: Cypress Pine Lookout is the honest turnaround for mixed groups.

Summit start after a long Canberra brunch.

Grade 4
2 hours to the lookout · 6 hours to the summit
4.5 km return to Cypress Pine Lookout · 15 km return to the summit
Effort: hard
Best for: A hard day that starts at the Visitor Centre car park

Distance, grade, time and open/closed status change — verify on Parks ACT walking tracks and with Namadgi Visitor Centre before you go.

Official Parks ACT info (verify status)

Eastern grey kangaroos at the former Orroral Tracking Station, Namadgi National Park ACT — Mt Tennent — Eastern grey kangaroos, Orroral
Donald Hobern · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Where you start

Namadgi Visitor Centre car park

Naas Road, Tharwa — 2.7 km south of Tharwa bridge. Card only at the centre.

How to get there

Tuggeranong / southern Canberra to Tharwa, then Naas Road. This is the easiest trailhead logistics in the park.
Alternative start: locked gate on Apollo Road (first kilometre on private property) via the Mt Tennent fire trail — VERIFY.

How to do it (step by step)

Lookout-only is a legitimate half-day. Summit is a 6-hour Grade 4.
Fill the register. Carry water. Reverse is the bail-out.

Packing list (shell, grip, water) lives on the gear hub— not a shopping list on every walk. Pairing and Plan B: plan your visit · Booroomba road Plan B.

Map (orientation)

Pin may be approximate. Confirm trailheads, parking and track status on Parks ACT before you drive.

Interactive map — pin may be approximate. Confirm trailheads and road status before you drive.

Open in Google Maps Get directions

Extra tips

Do the Woodland Walk loop (1 km) if the group is mixed and the summit is a maybe.

Itineraries that use this walk

3–5 hours on the ground (+ Canberra drive)

Half-day from Tharwa

Visitor Centre, then one outdoor block: Woodland Walk or Cypress Pine Lookout. Yankee Hat only if you already have the road status and a 3-hour walking window. Not Gingera, not Booroomba-from-Honeysuckle.

Area guide: Tharwa & the Visitor Centre · Maps pin

Nearby stays (optional)

After the walk plan is solid: Canberra / Tharwa / Queanbeyan beds if you still need them. Kit searches live on the gear hub. Official Parks ACT camping, park fees and government bookings are never affiliated. Guided tours live on the Tours hub.

Nearby stays

Canberra · Tharwa · Queanbeyan

Hotels & apartments in CanberraPrimary hub — 45–60 minutes to Namadgi Visitor Centre
TharwaLast village before the Visitor Centre — few beds, last supplies
QueanbeyanNSW overflow when Canberra is full — still a drive to Tharwa

All Booking.com links open in a new tab and may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Official Parks Victoria camping and hut-platform bookings are never affiliated.

Some stay, tour and gear links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Park entry (free) and official Parks ACT camping bookings are never affiliated. Affiliate disclosure · Privacy

Some stay, tour and gear links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Park entry (free) and official Parks ACT camping bookings are never affiliated. Disclosure · Tours hub