The Tidbinbilla Valley also reflects the European history of the area. Century old, rammed earth cottages and evidence of farming and eucalyptus oil distillation provide graphic reminders of the pioneers who made a life here from the mid 1800s right through to the 1950s/60s.
Tidbinbilla occupies what were a number of former rural properties, including those of the Green, Hatcliff, Flint, Blewitt families and others. Learn about early European settlement in the Tidbinbilla Valley through visiting the restored ruins of historic Rock Valley Homestead built by George Green and George Hatcliff in 1895. For more information refer to the Rock Valley Homestead and Heritage Precinct brochure (2.4 MB).
Nil Desperandum Homestead can be accessed via walking tracks within Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and is available for short-term stays as the perfect base from which to engage in bushwalking, bird watching, stargazing, reading or relaxation.
The Tidbinbilla Pioneers Association provide important knowledge of pioneer life in the 1800s through to modern times, and valuable support in promoting and protecting the heritage values of the homestead sites and the wider Tidbinbilla area.