Googong, NSW: Things to do – your road-tripper’s guide

The best things to do in Googong, NSW, include walking to the top of Mount Jerrabombera, sailing on Googong Dam and wallaby-spotting in the Googong Foreshores.

Googong, NSW, is on the border with the Australian Capital Territory. It is, to all intents and purposes, a suburb of Canberra.

With the Monaro Highway passing to the east, most visitors will bypass Googong, NSW. But there are a couple of reasons to pay a visit.

Things to do in Googong, NSW: Mount Jerrabombera

Top of the list of things to do in Googong, NSW, is probably Mount Jerrabombera, which lies between the town and Queanbeyan. The 3.8km loop walk to the Mount Jerrabombera Lookout takes in expansive views of Queanbeyan and the grassy plains. But you can also see mountains in the ACT, such as Black Mountain and Mount Ainslie.

The other main attraction in Googong is the Googong Dam. This small dam across the Queanbeyan River provides water for Canberra, but it’s also a popular recreation spot. Swimming is not permitted in the Googong Dam, and neither are watersports where there’s a strong chance of people falling in the water. These include stand-up paddleboarding, waterskiing and windsurfing.

Googong Reservoir, NSW — The Googong Reservoir supplies water to Canberra. Photo courtesy of Destination NSW.

Kayaking and sailing are fine, however, as are electric-powered boats. Petrol-powered boats are a no-no, however – keeping the water clean takes precedence.

Things to do in Googong, NSW: Googong Foreshores

The lake is bordered by the Googong Foreshores, a nature reserve criss-crossed by walking trails. Move away from the picnic areas, and you’ve got a decent chance of seeing wallabies here. Predictably, the Black Wallaby Loop Track is a popular hang-out for them.

There’s plenty of bird life, too. White-breasted sea eagles, wedge-tailed eagles and peregrine falcons all live and breed within the Googong Foreshores.

You can also go mountain biking in the Googong Foreshores, but only if you stick to the existing fire trails.

More New South Wales town and city guides