Step back in time and camp amongst the stars—in more ways than one—at the historic Honeysuckle Campground. Set high in the beautiful Brindabella Ranges within Namadgi National Park, this campground holds a unique place in human history. It occupies the site of the former Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station, the facility that received and broadcast the first televised images of Neil Armstrong walking on the moon during the 1969 Apollo 11 mission. This incredible legacy imbues the site with a special atmosphere, where you can camp on the foundations of the old tracking station and ponder humanity’s greatest achievements under a spectacularly clear, high-altitude night sky.
This is a quintessential Australian alpine bush camp. The air is crisp and clean, and the campground is surrounded by tall eucalypt forest, home to an abundance of wildlife. It’s common to be greeted by kangaroos and wallabies grazing peacefully, and the area is rich in birdlife. The campground itself is a large, open, and grassy area with informal sites, catering primarily to tents and camper trailers, although some smaller, adventurous caravans can make the trip. It’s a back-to-basics experience designed for self-sufficient campers who love nature and history.
The facilities are simple but functional, including pit toilets and wood-fired barbecues. There is no drinking water, so campers must bring all their own supplies. The main attraction is the network of walking trails that start directly from the campground. You can embark on the short, interpretive walk around the old tracking station site, or tackle more challenging hikes like the Booroomba Rocks walk, which rewards with some of the most breathtaking panoramic views in the entire region. Given its high altitude, campers must be prepared for cold weather, even in summer, with winter nights frequently dropping below freezing and often bringing snow. Booking online in advance is essential for this popular and historically significant campground.
Honeysuckle Campground – ACT Location Map
Honeysuckle Campground
- Address: Apollo Rd, Tennent ACT 2620
Website: parks.act.gov.au
GPS Coordinates: -35.58294, 148.97499
Site Information
- Location: High-altitude setting in Namadgi National Park, south of Canberra.
- Site Suitable For: Tents, Swags, Camper Trailers, and small Off-road Campervans. The access road is unsealed.
- Road Access: Access via Apollo Road, which is a good quality but sometimes steep unsealed road. 2WD accessible in good weather, but caution is required. Can be closed after heavy snow or rain.
- Site Surface: Level grass.
- Camping Permitted: Yes, unpowered sites only. Online booking in advance is mandatory.
- Maximum Overnight Stays: Check the booking website for current limits.
- Number of Powered Sites: None.
- Number of Un-powered Sites: Defined but spacious unpowered camping area.
Facilities
- Facilities: Non-flushing (pit) toilets, wood-fired BBQs/fire pits. No showers.
- Picnic Tables: Yes.
- Potable Water: No. You must bring all your own drinking water.
- Mobile Phone Coverage: None. Expect to be completely offline. An emergency beacon is recommended.
- TV Reception: None.
- Onsite Public Toilets: Yes.
- Ullage: No dump point.
- Rubbish Bins: No. All rubbish must be taken with you.
- Open Fires: Permitted in designated wood BBQ pits only, subject to total fire bans. Bring your own firewood.
- Generator Use: Prohibited.
Essentials & Activities
- Essentials to Bring: All food and drinking water, rubbish bags, warm and wet weather clothing (even in summer), firewood, hiking gear.
- Pet Friendly: No. Domestic animals are strictly prohibited in Namadgi National Park.
- Fishing: Not applicable.
- Short Walks: Excellent walking trails start at the campground, including the Honeysuckle Creek Track and the trail to Booroomba Rocks.
Local Amenities
- Local Pubs:
- Lanyon Vikings Club, Lanyon (approx. 45 km)
- Rose Cottage, Tuggeranong (approx. 50 km)
- The Statesman Hotel, Curtin (approx. 50 km)
- Places to Eat: The nearest food and supplies are in the southern suburbs of Canberra (Tharwa, Lanyon, Gordon).
- Local Attractions:
- Booroomba Rocks Lookout (via walking track)
- Namadgi National Park Visitor Centre (approx. 25 km)
- Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve (approx. 35 km)
- Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (approx. 30 km)
- Nearest Caravan Parks:
- Woods Reserve Campground (approx. 15 km)
- Cotter Campground (approx. 35 km)
- Next Free Camps: Very limited. This is a primary low-cost bush camp for the area.
- Nearest Dump Points: Public dump points are located in Canberra (e.g., EPIC).
- Nearest Petrol Station: Southern suburbs of Canberra (e.g., Lanyon, Gordon).
- Drinking Water Resupply: Nearest public taps are in Canberra.
- Public Toilets: Available onsite.
Seasonal Weather Forecast
- Summer (Dec – Feb): Mild to warm days, but conditions can change rapidly. Nights are cool. Be prepared for rain and check bushfire warnings. Temperatures average 9°C to 24°C.
- Autumn (Mar – May): A beautiful time for hiking with clear, crisp days and cool to cold nights. Temperatures average 3°C to 16°C.
- Winter (Jun – Aug): Very cold. Days are often sunny but frigid. Nights are well below freezing. Snowfall is common and can temporarily close access roads. Appropriate alpine gear is essential. Temperatures range from -5°C to 8°C.
- Spring (Sep – Nov): A lovely season as the alpine wildflowers bloom. Days become warmer, but nights remain cold. Be prepared for variable weather. Temperatures average 2°C to 16°C.
Address
Apollo Rd, Tennent, 2620, Australia
