Tharwa to Boboyan — Namadgi National Park High Country Track via Corin Dam and Boboyan Road (ACT–NSW Alpine Divide Run)
Alpine wilderness, an hour from the capital.
Most people don’t associate Canberra with serious backcountry driving, but Namadgi National Park wraps around the capital’s western and southern flanks with over 100,000 hectares of sub-alpine wilderness. The Boboyan Road from Tharwa south to the NSW border is the park’s spine — 60-odd kilometres of unsealed track crossing the Gudgenby River twice, climbing onto the Boboyan Plateau through snow gum woodland and granite outcrop country, and passing the remote Nil Desperandum homestead ruin before dropping to the Brindabella Range divide. The Gudgenby crossings are the crux: knee-deep in normal conditions, impassable after significant rain. Most people underestimate this road because it’s close to a city.
A genuine high-clearance 4WD is required — Corin Dam Road prior to the junction is sealed but everything south demands it. The track is closed entirely when fire danger is extreme, which happens regularly in January and February. Namadgi requires a park pass; no permit for the drive itself. Water from the Gudgenby River only — treat it. Dispersed camping is not permitted in Namadgi; designated sites at Orroral Valley and Honeysuckle Creek. Best run May to October outside fire season; snow closes the southern plateau sections July to August. Fuel in Tharwa or Canberra — nothing south until Cooma. You get real alpine country that almost nobody bothers to find.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 37 mi / 60 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5380 ft |
| Best season | April-June, September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Tharwa, ACT |
| Land manager | ACT Parks and Conservation Service — Namadgi National Park |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | ACT Parks Namadgi National Park page |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Prado or 4Runner handle this trail, or does it need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Prado 150, Patrol, or Land Cruiser 200 will get through fine in dry conditions. A lift helps at the water crossings and on the rougher rocky sections near the alpine plateau, but it's not mandatory — stock ground clearance is the real minimum, not a lifted rig.
When is Boboyan Road actually open and passable?
Best windows are April–June and September–November. Snow and ice close or seriously compromise the high country sections in winter (July–August), and summer thunderstorms can wash out creek crossings fast. Always check ACT Parks current closures before you leave — Namadgi roads can shut with zero warning after rain.
Do you need a permit to drive through Namadgi National Park?
No permit is required for day driving or overnight bush camping in Namadgi, but you must self-register at a park entry point if camping. There are no fees as of 2024, but check the ACT Parks website before you go as regulations in national parks can change.
What's the hardest section on this run and what makes it sketchy?
The roughest stretch is through the southern plateau approaching the NSW border near Boboyan, where the track gets rocky, rutted, and can be badly cut up after rain. Water crossings along Boboyan Creek don't have bridges — depth varies seasonally and after storms they can move fast. If it's been raining in the last 48 hours, treat every crossing as unknown depth.
Is there any fuel or water resupply along the route, or do you need to carry everything?
There is zero fuel or resupply between Tharwa and the NSW side at Boboyan — carry enough fuel for the 60km route plus a solid reserve for the drive home. Creek water is available but needs treatment; no potable water infrastructure exists on this track.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.