Cooleman Ridge Nature Reserve

Cooleman Ridge Nature Reserve is a protected woodland reserve within Canberra Nature Park in south-west Canberra, bordering the suburbs of Chapman, Duffy and Arawang. It forms a prominent ridge with open eucalypt woodland, native grasses and rocky outcrops. Notable for its network of walking and fire trails, panoramic views over the Molonglo Valley and Weston Creek, and diverse birdlife, it is managed by the ACT Parks and Conservation Service for conservation and low-impact recreation.

Visitors can expect a natural bushland setting with unsealed walking tracks and management fire trails traversing open Yellow Box-Blakely's Red Gum woodland and grassy slopes. The ridge offers elevated viewpoints, including Cooleman Trig, with views across Canberra and the Brindabella Ranges. There are no built visitor centres or formal picnic areas; the experience is focused on bushwalking, nature observation and photography in a quiet, semi-natural environment close to suburban areas.