Canberra Accommodation... in the bush.

Your Canberra accommodation is just 30 minutes from the heart of Australia’s Capital City surrounded by rolling hills and breathtaking valleys. At the foot of Mt Tennant on the banks of the Murrumbidgee, Outward Bound’s base is perfect for:

  • Canberra school excursion accommodation. Ideal to claim your PACER rebate. See Centre based school camps for more information.
  • Church and sporting groups
  • Weekend escapes
  • Conferences and events
  • visiting Canberra city while ‘staying in the country’.

Download Staying at Outward Bound Tharwa FAQs.

"The whole process from booking enquiry to booking to on the day at the event was a breeze! The team were amazing and very helpful, making our lives so much easier! Had a great experience at Outward Bound and will definitely come back for our next program!"
Franklin, SMYM Canberra - Accommodation and Venue Hire
Cabins

These 6 self-contained cabins sleep up to 122 people in total. Each cabin has four bedrooms, sleeping between 4 and 6 people per bedroom for a maximum of 24 people per cabin. Each bedroom has an en-suite shower and toilet and each cabin has a common living area with kitchenette.

  • Self catering: from $60.50 per person/night.
  • Catered: from $97.00 per person/night.
  • Guests are invited to bring their own linen. Linen and sleeping bags can be provided for an additional fee.
  • Single room supplement: Rooms are configured with either 4 or 6 beds per room. Guests can have their own room for an additional 50% of standard rate, where available.
Each cabin is equipped with a fridge, microwave and crockery. All cabins have central carpark access and a large, shared fire pit, perfect for family nights around the fire.

Bunkhouses

Not as luxurious as the Cabins but a lot more comfortable than camping, the three bunkhouses each have an ensuite with shower and a large table and chairs to plan your Canberra excursion. Two bunkrooms have 8 beds each, another has 4 beds for 20 in total.
* Self catering: from $49.50 per person/night
Bunkhouses have central carpark access and a shared fire drum, perfect for nights around the fire. All guests are required to provide their own linen.

Camping

Campsites for over 100 people across the property, ranging from large open fields to secluded, private campsites. Suitable for campervans, caravans and tents with toilets and hot showers for all. Open style bivvies, mats and sleeping bags can be hired or you can bring all your own camping gear. Fire drums and fire pits can be used for cooking.
* Camping - $22.00 per person/night.
Catering not generally available for campers. Possible on request for large groups.

Conferences

Conferences in Canberra now come with grazing kangaroos and laughing kookaburras surrounded by rolling green hills and riverside locations. Bordering Namadgi National Park, Tharwa is a little country town with short, easy access to the bustle of Canberra. Outward Bound’s property has conferencing facilities for 60 with commercial catering and dormitory beds for 142 people.

Download a map of the site here.

"Our bushwalking club stayed in the self-contained cabins while exploring the Namadgi National Park and start of the Australian Alps Walking Track. Then we nipped into town for a day to visit see the Botticelli to Van Gogh exhibition at the National Gallery. It was the perfect location. A quiet, leafy setting half an hour from the city centre. We'll be back next time."
Canberra Accommodation - Steve and Diane, Sydney
Why stay with us in Canberra?
Proximity to Canberra City
The sights of Canberra are just 30 minutes away. The National Gallery of Australia is always a treat. With collections of Australian and international artists and touring exhibitions of the most famous artists in history, learn the difference between your Sidney Nolan’s and your Vincent van Gogh’s that adorn the walls. Or just enjoy the sculpture garden on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin. Parliament House is much more than a place for our politicians to debate what is best for Australia. There are tours, art and historical exhibitions of both the old and new Parliament Houses with a daily Indigenous tour exploring the history of the site on Ngunnawal Country and the (hopefully) increasing role Indigenous Australians play in the democratic process. I haven’t even mentioned the Arboretum, War Memorial, and the myriad other attractions that make Canberra an unmissable destination.
Proximity to Canberra City
The sights of Canberra are just 30 minutes away. The National Gallery of Australia is always a treat. With collections of Australian and international artists and touring exhibitions of the most famous artists in history, learn the difference between your Sidney Nolan’s and your Vincent van Gogh’s that adorn the walls. Or just enjoy the sculpture garden on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin. Parliament House is much more than a place for our politicians to debate what is best for Australia. There are tours, art and historical exhibitions of both the old and new Parliament Houses with a daily Indigenous tour exploring the history of the site on Ngunnawal Country and the (hopefully) increasing role Indigenous Australians play in the democratic process. I haven’t even mentioned the Arboretum, War Memorial, and the myriad other attractions that make Canberra an unmissable destination.
The Natural Surrounds
Outward Bound Australia’s national base is situated in Tharwa on the outskirts of the ACT. Surrounded by expansive Australian bush at the foot of Mount Tennent, your Canberra accommodation is on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River, where bubbling rapids create a swimming oasis and a spa to soothe your legs after a day enjoying the surrounding bush or city. On clear nights, the Milky Way stretches from one horizon to the other, answering the question why NASA built a tracking station in nearby Orroral Valley to broadcast the first moon landing. The property, located on 13 hectares of Australian bush has large fields and areas for sports, initiatives and games, boasting expansive space in all directions. The array of the undercover areas provides wet weather shelter so activities can go ahead rain, hail or shine. This is the ideal Canberra accommodation for your large or small groups travelling to see Canberra's sights with the option of adding activities to your itinerary.
The Natural Surrounds
Outward Bound Australia’s national base is situated in Tharwa on the outskirts of the ACT. Surrounded by expansive Australian bush at the foot of Mount Tennent, your Canberra accommodation is on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River, where bubbling rapids create a swimming oasis and a spa to soothe your legs after a day enjoying the surrounding bush or city. On clear nights, the Milky Way stretches from one horizon to the other, answering the question why NASA built a tracking station in nearby Orroral Valley to broadcast the first moon landing. The property, located on 13 hectares of Australian bush has large fields and areas for sports, initiatives and games, boasting expansive space in all directions. The array of the undercover areas provides wet weather shelter so activities can go ahead rain, hail or shine. This is the ideal Canberra accommodation for your large or small groups travelling to see Canberra's sights with the option of adding activities to your itinerary.
Email us to to organise Canberra accommodation for your next visit:
Email: accommodation@outwardbound.org.au
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