Cotter Dam Lookout

A beautiful place to visit that is close to Canberra.
The picnic area is beautiful and has lots of shady trees. It is very popular with families.
The dam lookout area winds through pine trees alongside the Cotter river.
A lovely place to visit a unique dam.

It's an excellent place to visit in Canberra. Just half an hour from anywhere in the ACT. Best time to visit is in the evening and it's an awesome view with the sun going down. There's a walking trail that you must try, it's between the water that's flowing out of the Dam. There's plenty of parking spaces available and tables to sit and have your food. There's toilets as well for visitors. There's a camping ground as well though I haven't personally checked it out see how it works.

Enjoyable escape from the heat and hubbub of city life in Canberra.
Plenty of great trees give the place a wonderful feel.
Lots of free barbecues in good condition. Safe areas for children to enjoy the water in Cotter River.
Tourist information signs are starting to look old and jaded, and footbridge over Cotter River still showing signs of damage from floods in 2022.

Amazing Amazing. I have been to Canberra and have visited some places, but this place is absolutely stunning. You can literally spend hours at the picnic spot or near the chilling River or enjoy the walking trails towards the Dam. The sound of the birds , winds n water gives you a natural peaceful vibes. Btw, no mobile network on this place, so plan ahead (download offline map) and enjoy mobile-less picinc😁. Enough parking on picnic spot. Bathroom nearby. There are plenty of BBQ spots and tables to make your picnic wonderful. Lots of trees gives enough shade in summer. Oo.. lots of flies..only annoying thing in this place. If u visit Canberra, mostly recommended place.

Almost a Canberra institution is "the Cotter". after the 2003 bushfires burnt down the pub and destroyed the area's recreation grounds, most of us locals thought the place would never recover. let us just say, the hard work by those involved has paid off in a big way. a shame the pub was never rebuilt, or a snack bar/café included in the 'new' Cotter, but it is a great place for a family picnic or BBQ with a great play area for the little ones and plenty of summer time shade. autumn is also a great time of the year with plenty of colours.
There are two lookouts that are reachable from the carpark/recreation area. The first one is more or less from where these photos were taken from and is a relatively easy walk (but there are stairs), from the end of the carpark, closest to the dam wall, as recent floods have damaged the other access point from within the BBQ area. the second lookout I have not been to as yet (actually didn't know about it until I read some of the other reviews here), so will have to make my way out there again for a bit of a look. cheers

There is no access by Car to the lookout from above the dam, I think you can walk up. But the area below is nice for picnics and water play. Very shady, has toilets and nice view of the water coming down the dam wall. I also saw 2 emus around and a kangaroo.

Cool and shaded spot not too far from the city to spend time with friends, family or yourself.

Plenty of grassy areas for a picnic as well as a playground for the kids.

Bring a soccer ball or throw frisbees with some pals to enjoy the spacious greens all around, or stroll through the pathways.

Read through the signages showing the history & engineering development of Cotter Dam as well as its current service in providing water to the surrounding Canberra.