The Budjan Galindji Nature Reserve is 20 hectares of protected grassland right in the heart of the Gungahlin Suburbs between Franklin and Harrison.
Formerly known as Franklin Grasslands, it has been renamed Budjan Galindji, meaning bird water in the Ngunnawal language. This name, gifted by the Winanggaay Ngunnawal Language Group, honours the Latham’s Snipe — a migratory waterbird that finds refuge in the wetlands here.
This amazing patch, just south of the Franklin shops, is home to Golden Sun Moths, Superb Parrots, Lizards, Grasshoppers and home to one of only 3 known populations of the vulnerable Ginninderra Peppercress plant, which can only been found in the ACT.
Since 2019, we have been advocating for the protection of this plot of land, which maintains a number of vulnerable species of plants, and is home to a number of local fauna.
In 2020, feedback was sought on the sites landscape plan. Allowing local residents to provide feedback on how Canberra's newest reserve is managed.
The site was formally declared apart of the Canberra Nature Park in 2020, and formerly opened on the 12th of November 2025 after extensive landscaping work which:
- Added two new walking tracks
- Improved water drainage to support the expanded wetlands
- Added 'interpretive nodes', featuring local artwork depicting the Golden Sun Month, Superb Parrot and Striped Legless Lizard.
Visit the ACT Parks website to learn more: https://www.parks.act.gov.au/find-a-nature-park/canberra-nature-park/budjan-galindji-grasslands-nature-reserve
