Australian Capital Territory | 88km<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Flanked by the magnificent Brindabella ranges, the Paddy\u2019s River Road and Tidbinbilla Road \u2013 which stretch between Tharwa to the south and Cotter Dam run \u2013 are the gems of the Cotter Loop. Running parallel to Paddy\u2019s River both roads offer beautiful sweeping corners that travel through sparse alpine grasslands spattered with granite bolder outcrops at the southern end before transitioning to snow gum and eucalypt forest as you near Cotter Dam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve has a caf\u00e9 that offers coffee, cold drinks and hot food, and when you arrive at Cotter the Pit Stop Coffee van is on hand for even more coffee and cold drinks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s settled Star gazers
<\/strong>Canberra\u2019s oldest settlement, Tharwa was proclaimed in 1862 and many of its historic buildings remain intact including the historic Tharwa bridge which still spans the mighty Murrumbidgee River. The Tharwa Country store offers food, drink and fuel and makes a good base as you wander off to check out the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>A visit to the Canberra Deep Scape Communication Complex is a must. Tidbinbilla \u2013 as the complex is known by the locals \u2013 has an array of massive antenna pointed at the sky. Some of these were crucial in tracking NASA\u2019s Voyager 2 journey through the solar system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n