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Cotter Bend
Cotter River, Stromlo ACT

Cotter Bend is located at the junction of the Cotter and Paddys Rivers and offers a swim with shade over the water from overhanging pine trees on the banks of the Cotter. This is a significant advantage over swimming in the nearby Murrumbidgee River corridor for those who sunburn easily. Swimming at Cotter Bend Above: The deeper pool beneath the pines at Cotter Bend (Order this image)

Sitting under one of those pines on the pebbled mound at the bend, the water wraps around you in a near 360 degree view, as well as providing a tantalising glimpse of the Paddys River upstream.

There are a range of water depths here, with a deeper hole in the Cotter River immediately before and at the bend where it joins the Paddys River, as well as shallow water that you can skip through on the downstream side of the bend and in the Paddys River.
There is a bit of accumulated silt downstream of the bend, which can stir up when you walk through it, and there are plenty of stones that have been deposited in the conflicting currents of previous high flow events, so its best to wear a pair of sandals or swimming shoes. Swimming at Cotter Bend Above: Cotter Bend looking upstream to the Paddys River from the stone beach (Order this image)

It's only a small beach, but it has the advantage (and disadvantage) of not being visible from the nearby picnic area and lawn on the Cotter River floodplain, so it feels secluded when there are not too many others down by the river.
The lawns are extensive, with plenty of room for an extended family picnic and ball games in between your swims.

Other Information Before You Go:

Location: Cotter Bend, off Cotter Road, Coree, ACT, 24 km (approx. 25 min. drive) west of Canberra Central.
Latitude:-35.327927 Longitude:148.938486
Getting there: From parliament house, head west along Adelaide Avenue / Cotter Road. Cotter Bend is on the left hand side immediately before crossing the Cotter River. The junction of the Cotter and Paddys Rivers is accessible from a short (~50 metre) path at the western end of the car park.
Facilities: Car park, toilets, electric barbecues, picnic tables, lawn areas, walking trails, drinking fountain, bike path.
There are no bins provided so take your rubbish home with you.
Entrance fee: None
Water temperature: Mild
Water clarity: Clear
Under foot: Stones, silty sand
Maximum water depth: 1 to 2 metres
Suggested minimum swimming proficiency required: Beginners (under supervision, during low flow conditions)
Prohibitions including whether you can bring your dog: No dogs, no collecting firewood, no camping, no open fires, no taking of native plants or animals.
Sun shade: Shade available in and out of the water
Opening times: Always open
Wheelchair access: Wheelchair accessible paths, but access to the water is across an uneven stone beach with a moderately steep bank in parts
Managing authority: ACT Government
Nearby attractions: Cotter Campground, which is a few hundred metres downstream by road, and Cotter Avenue, roughly the same distance upstream.
Before you head out, make sure to read the swimming safety information and check with the managing authority for any current change of conditions. The managing authority provides general advice on site about swimming in the ACT's rivers that there are strong currents, shallow water, submerged objects, deep water, slippery and uneven ground, steep banks and snakes. The managing authority also advises that mobile phone reception is not reliable throughout this area, so do not depend on your phone for safety or directions.

Water quality in the Canberra area can sometimes be unsuitable for swimming. For regular updates on whether the water quality at this site is suitable for swimming, see the ACT Government's water quality alerts. The water quality at downstream Cotter Campground would be a reasonable indicator of water quality risks for swimmers at Cotter Bend, and swimming at Cotter Bend should be avoided when Cotter Campground is closed for swimming. As a general rule, don't plan to swim here after rain because the river may be closed to swimming due to agricultural runoff from upstream areas of the Paddys River (i.e. animal faeces, fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides, etc.).

Locality Map:

The marker indicates the approximate location of the car park at Cotter Bend. If the map is not zoomed in locally, as can sometimes occur when loading, simply click or tap on "View Larger Map" below.
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