Length: 5.2km
Duration: 3hrs
Grade: 3
Style: Return
Start: Cotter Avenue Car Park
End: Cotter Avenue Car Park

Location: Cotter Avenue
Closest Town: Stromlo
Distance from CBD: 25km
State: ACT
Latitude: -35.32438262
Longitude: 148.9408886

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2WD Access

4WD Access

Public Transport

Bitumen Road

Gravel Road

Steep Road

Winding Road

Speed Bumps

Vehicle Ford

Entry Fee

Large Car Park

Small Car Park

Accessible Parking

Accessible Toilet

Public Toilets

Drinking Water

Untreated Water

Picnic Shelter

Picnic Table

BBQ Facilities

Campfire Pit

Camping Area

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Concrete Path

Timber Boardwalk

Gravel Path

Sandy Trail

Rough Trail

Undefined Trail

Prams & Strollers

Manual Wheelchair

Motorised Wheelchair

Bicycle Trail

Mountain Bike Trail

Historic Rail Trail

Dog Friendly

Urban Walk

Coast & Beach

Historic Lighthouse

Waterfalls & Lakes

Rainforest Walk

Goldfields & Mining

Heritage Walk

Aboriginal Art

Alpine Region

Alpine Huts

Exposed Ledges

Rock Scrambling

Steep Terrain

Bush Bashing

River Crossings

Scenic Viewpoints

Well Marked

Drinking Water

Untreated Water

Fishing Spots

Swimming Spots

Overnight Campsites

Trail Running

Horse Riding

Mount McDonald Summit Track is a 5.2km, grade 3 return hike, located in Cotter Avenue, ACT. The hike should take approximately 3hrs to complete.

Hike Summary

Mount McDonald Summit Track (5.2km) – Via management trail (suitable for cyclists)
This track climbs to the summit of Mount McDonald where you are rewarded by a 360 degree view of the surrounding landscape. You can see the Murrumbidgee River, the Brindabella Range to the west and Canberra itself. A view well worth the effort.

Mount McDonald Summit Track (3.8km) – Via Cotter Catchment Lookout Track (walkers only)
This track climbs to the summit of Mount McDonald where you are rewarded by a 360 degree view of the surrounding landscape. You can see the Murrumbidgee River, the Brindabella Range to the west and Canberra itself. A view well worth the effort.

Getting there

About the region

Cotter Avenue

Cotter Avenue is a perennial favourite with families keen to sizzle a sausage and is ideal for kids with its services facilities and modern adventure playground all on the banks of the historic Cotter River. Cotter Avenue is the most recently developed recreation area in the Murrumbidgee River Corridor, ideal for family gatherings and the best place to view the enlarged Cotter Dam wall. Have a shady picnic underneath the Poplar trees while the kids paddle in the Cotter River or play on the playground. Free electric barbeques and toilet facilities are provided. There are numerous walks that start at the Cotter Avenue ranging in distance, and are also suitable for people in wheelchairs. A particular favourite is the Cotter Dam Discovery Trail, where you can learn about the history of water in the Canberra region as you walk up to the enlarged dam viewing area. Cotter Avenue is accessed off Cotter Road. No bins are provided – please take your rubbish home with you. No dogs allowed. For dog friendly recreation along the Murrumbidgee River you can go to Uriarra Crossing, Murrays Corner or Point Hut Crossing. Located close by:

For more information, a location map and facilities please visit the ACT Government Information Portal.