Visit the remote former NASA site in Namadgi National Park that received the first live images from the Apollo 11 moon landing.
This former NASA tracking station, operational from 1967 to 1981, played a pivotal role in the Apollo program. Its 26-metre antenna captured the first television signals from the Moon during the 1969 landing and supported later missions including Skylab. Today the site preserves concrete foundations, equipment pads and interpretive signs that explain its technical achievements within a quiet valley in the Brindabella Ranges.
Walk the short interpretive loop trail to view the antenna base, power plant remnants and the memorial plaque dedicated to the station’s staff. The surrounding eucalypt forest and open ridges offer opportunities for birdwatching and photography, especially at sunrise when mist lingers in the valley. Combine the visit with a short drive to the nearby Mount Stromlo Observatory ruins for a broader perspective on Australia’s space heritage.
Engineers at Honeysuckle Creek worked in shifts around the clock, relaying voice, telemetry and television data between the Apollo spacecraft and mission control in Houston. The station’s remote location reduced radio interference and provided clear southern-sky views essential for lunar communications.
Drive south from Canberra via the Tharwa and Naas roads, turning onto the unsealed Honeysuckle Creek Road. The route passes through Namadgi National Park; a high-clearance vehicle is recommended after rain. The final approach follows a gravel track that ends at a small parking area beside the historic site.
Autumn and spring deliver mild daytime temperatures and fewer insects. Summer visits require early starts to avoid heat and the risk of bushfire closures, while winter can bring frost and occasional snow on higher ridges. Always check park alerts before travel.
Keep reading
A peaceful foreshore path in Canberra honouring every Australian of the Year with permanent plaques and stories.
Most visitors spend 45 to 90 minutes walking the interpretive trail and reading the signs; add extra time for photography or a short bushwalk.
The terrain is generally flat but uneven; young children should be supervised near concrete edges and the gravel access road.
No amenities exist at the station itself; the nearest facilities are at the Namadgi Visitor Centre or Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.
The large antenna was removed decades ago, but concrete foundations, cable ducts and interpretive panels remain to illustrate the stationu2019s former layout.
The final section is unsealed and can become slippery after rain; standard cars can manage in dry conditions, but four-wheel-drive vehicles provide extra confidence.
Flowing through Namadgi National Park, the Cotter River offers clear trout streams, riverside campsites and easy day…
Tackle the rugged trails and sweeping alpine views at this prominent peak in the Australian Capital Territory.
