Canberra Nature Park: Palmerville and Gold Creek

General Information

Grading:  easy

Distance:   14.6 kilometers

Total climb:   152 meters

Time taken:   2 hours 20 minutes
Moving time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Maps:   Hall 8727-4S 1:25 000

Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:   10.3 kilometers

Start point map grid reference: 55H FA 87709 99827

Destination map grid reference:    Palmerville 55H FB 89814 01432

                                                       Gold Creek 55H FB 89626 03881

Dates walked: 17 September 2025

 

Route

 

Description

This walk started at the McDermott Place carpark on Lake Ginninderra, for no other reason than to make the walk as long as possible. From there I headed to Ginninderra Drive, which I followed to the bridge before turning north and following Ginninderra Creek to the Palmerville Heritage Park.

 

I took a stroll through the Heritage Park and then continued along Ginninderra Creek until the Barton Highway. From there I went through the Gold Creek village area and stopped at one of the excellent cafes there for a rest before heading back to the starting point by much the same route.

Queanbeyan: Queanbeyan Riverside

General Information

Grading: easy
Distance:  7.3 kilometers
Total climb:  95 metres
Time taken:  1 hour 45 minutes
Map:  Canberra 8727-3N, 1:25 000
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  16.5 kilometers
Start point map grid reference:  55H GA 02027 86724
Destination map grid reference:  none
End point:  same as start

Route

 

Description

The starting point for this walk is the Queanbeyan Railway Station. We first walked down to the Queanbeyan River railway bridge...

 ...and then on to the Queanbeyan Riverside Cemetery, where we spent some time exploring. From there we followed the river as far as we could before turning back. On the return journey we crossed over the Queanbeyan Suspension Bridge...

 

...and walked for a short distance along the eastern side of the river before returning back to our starting point by much the same path.

Narrandera: Flora and Fauna Reserve

General Information

Grading:  easy

Distance:   6.7 kilometers

Total climb:   37 meters

Time taken:   1 hour 250 minutes

Maps:   Berembed Weir 8228-S 1:50 000

Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:   341 kilometers

 

Route

 

 

Description

This walk commenced on Melbourne Street East where there is a footbridge over the canal. Crossing the footbridge I wandered down Oakbank Street to the Flora and Fauna Reserve entry. From there I headed south to a beach on the Murrumbidgee River.

 Following the river I walked through some nice forest and river views to a second beach.

 

From the second beach I headed north, watching the tree canopy for koalas (supposedly quite numerous there) but without luck. So I continued to the edge of Lake Talbot before heading back to the reserve entry.

 

Uriarra: Tongs Hole and Downstream Molonglo River

General Information

Grading:  easy

Distance:   2.6 kilometers

Total climb:   180 meters

Time taken:   1 hour 10 minutes

Maps:   Umburra 8627-1S 1:25 000

Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:   20 kilometers

Start point map grid reference:  55H FA 79466 97509

Destination map grid reference:  55H FA 79510 97031

End point:  Same as start

 

Route

 

  

Description

This walk starts on Stockdill Drive, just before the gates into the Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre. We first followed the walking track down to Tong's Hole, which is quite a nice spot on the Molonglo.

 

From there we continued off-trail down the Molonglo, hoping to get as far as the Molonglo plank bridge. Unfortunately, however, we came across a rather robust outfall from the Water Quality Control Centre which we could not cross. Crossing to the other side of the Molonglo River to pass this by was also not an option, so we had no choice other than to turn back. We took a higher route back to our starting point, which gave us some compensating views down the river and westwards.

 

Overall, the walk was a bit of a disappointment. 

 

 

Canberrra Nature Park: Barrer Hill from Coombs

General Information

Grading:  very easy

Distance:   6.5 kilometers

Total climb:   147 meters

Time taken:   1 hour 30 minutes

Maps:   Canberra 8727-3N 1:25 000

Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:   12.7 kilometers

Start point map grid reference: 55H FA 86356 89591

Destination map grid reference:55H FA 86253 90981

End point:  same as start

 

Route

 

 

Description

We started this walk on Harold White Avenue across from Bedbrook Street in the suburb of Coombs. We walked west along Harold White Avenue  and then down to the Molonglo River, which we crossed via a causeway at map reference 55H FA 86093 89684. We then followed the trrail along the other side of the river until we came to the Life Support Sculpture (map reference 55H FA 85442 90855) and took in the river views from there. We then backtracked and looped around to the top of Barrer Hill, and returned via the trail through the pine forest.

Ginninderry Conservation Corridor: Strathnairn to Shepherds Lookout - New Loop Route

General Information

Grading:  easy

Distance:   7 kilometers

Total climb:   150 meters

Time taken:   1 hour 15 minutes

Maps:   Umburra 8627-1S 1:25 000

Walk information:  https://www.ginninderry.org/corridor-walking-tracks

Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:   17 kilometers

Start point map grid reference:  55H FA 81450 99525

Destination map grid reference:   55H FA 79896 98445

End point:  Same as start

 

Previous Similar Walks

Ginninderry Conservation Corridor: 23 November 2021, 22 May 2024

Route

Description

This walk combines the old Strathnairn to Shepherds Lookout track and a new section of track roughly east of the original track. The walk starts at the Strathnairn to Shepherds Lookout trackhead which is accessed from The Link on McClymont Way Strathnairn.

At the beginning of the actual walking track I took the right hand fork which also leads to the Woodland/Nguurung Bila Loop. Where the track comes to an intersection with a small bridge on the right I went straight ahead (not over the bridge!), following the orange arrows. This led me to the Burin Lookout with its views towards the mountains.

Coming soon after to an intersection I turned right and followed an old vehicular trail for a while before a new section of walking track to the left. This led me through a more forested area of the walk with some deep, steep sided gullies.

Eventually the trail came to the old Walaroo Spur lookout, and from there to the original track. I continued on to Shepherds Lookout with its wonderful view up the Murrumbidgee (I particularly liked the sun glistening off the water).

I walked back via the original track.

Canberra Nature Park: Coombs to Scrivener Dam and Return

General Information

Grading:  very easy

Distance:   7.2 kilometers

Total climb:   88 meters

Time taken:   1 hour 30 minutes

Maps:   Canberra 8727-3N 1:25 000

Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:   12.7 kilometers

Start point map grid reference: 55H FA 86356 89591

Destination map grid reference: 

End point:  same as start

 

Route

 

 

Description

We started this walk at the intersection of Harold White Avenue and Pearlman Street in the suburb of Coombs. From there we walked down to the Molonglo River and crossed to the other side, following the river under Tuggeranong Parkway until we reached another river crossing at map reference 55H FA 88106 90660. This was a good place for a photograph of the river with the last vestiges of the morning's fog.

On the other side of the river we continued on to Scrivener Damand crossed it. We then followed the fenceline of The National Zoo and Aquarium, which gave us some views seldom seen on local bushwalks.

We continued back along the river, returning to our starting point.

Canberra Nature Park: The Pinnacle and Weetangera Cemetery

General Information

Grading:  easy

Distance:   7.3 kilometers

Total climb:   158 meters

Time taken:   1 hour 30 minutes

Maps:   Canberra 8727-3N 1:25 000

Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:   9.4 kilometers

Start point map grid reference: 55H FA 86284 96432

Destination map grid reference:  Weetangera Cemetery 55H FA 84378 97697

End point:  same as start

 

Route

 

 

Description

This walk starts at the parking area off Springvale Drive near De Salis Street.

Entering The Pinnacle Reserve, I followed the Bicentennial National Trail to the right and then turned off towards The Pinnacle - I couldn't go the top because there was maintenance work happening. I then made may way along the back of the suburb of Hawker, took the underpass at William Hovell Drive and turned left to the Weetangera Cemetery. I returned back through Hawker and along the border of The Pinnacle Nature Reserve, with a brief detour off the track to a prominence at map reference 55H FA 85657 95618.

Namadgi National Park: Gorilla Rock

General Information

Grading : medium

Distance:  6.6 kilometers 

Total climb:  176 meters

Time taken:  2 hours 30 minutes

Map:  Corin Dam 8626-1N, 1:25 000 

Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  53.3 kilometers 

Start point map grid reference:  55H FA 78933 60480

Destination map grid reference:  55H FA 78676 62527

End point:  same as start

Route

 

Description

This walk starts from the Honeysuckle Creek Camping Ground near the end of Apollo Road. We first followed the walking track towards Booroomba Rocks. At map reference 55H FA 79161 61901, where the track crosses a creek, we headed bush pretty much in a straight line towards Gorilla Rock (which can't be seen until you are close to it). The bush wasn't too bad to fight through, and we eventually found what we were looking for.

 

After a look around, we headed back the same way we had come.

 

Meryla State Forest: The Top of Bundanoon Gorge

General Information

Grading: easy

Distance: 8.8 kilometers 

Total climb: 158 meters 

Time taken: 2 hours 20 minutes

Map: Bundanoon 8928-1S 1:25 000 

Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  163 kilometers

Start point map grid reference:  56H KG 57554 64299

Destination:   First Lookouts 56H KG 56930 63203

                      Second Lookout 56H KG 57586 63136

                      Third Lookout 56H KG 58602 63645

                      Fourth Lookout 56H KG 59358 64040

End Point:  Same as start

 

Route

 

Description 

 

This walk is through a quiet corner of Meryla State Forest near the village of Exeter in the Southern Highlands. The walk used to be around the perimeter of a pine forest, but the pines have now all been harvested, probably after the 2020 bushfire. Unfortunately this means that the left hand side of the track throughout the walk is pretty ugly...

 

 

...so it's all about the lookouts over Bundanoon Gorge.

 

The start of the walk is at the end of Rosedale Road, before the entry to Filbert's Farm. There are “no parking” signs along Rosedale Road, so we had to cross over into the State Forest area; easy to find because there are no fences there. You can pretty much park anywhere, but we decided to find a shady spot off to the left and round a sharp bend.

We followed a counter-clockwise route around the management trail that borders the former pine forest. Along this trail it's just a matter of looking for minor tracks on the right, which invariably led to lookouts. The first lookout was over the Stonequarry Creek Gorge, but the remainder were all over Bundanoon Gorge, which became narrower as we progressed. Plenty of great views from all lookouts, but be aware that there are no protective barriers and it's a long way down...

To return to our starting point we just continued around in a loop around the former pine forest.

Ginninderry Conservation Corridor: Strathnairn to Shepherd's Lookout

General Information

Grading : easy

Distance:  7.1 kilometers 

Total climb:  114 meters

Time taken:  1 hour 20 minutes

Map:  Hall 8727-4S 1:25 000 and Umburra 8727-1S 1:25 000

Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  15 kilometers 

Start point map grid reference:  55H FA 81451 99526

Destination map grid reference:  55H FA 79900 98440

End point:  same as start

Route

 

 

Description

This walk began at The Link Community and Information Centre in McClymont Way, Ginninderry Village. It is along a newly constructed walking trail which is signposted, easy to follow and quite scenic. There are even a few artworks along the way. The best description of the walk is in the pictures:

The track is fairly flat and there are a few stiles to climb over. Parts of the track can also be muddy, I found. You may encounter livestock along the trail too, as the land it passes through is used for grazing: I had to make my way through a large herd of cattle near the start of the walk.

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve: Cascade Trail

General Information

Grading: easy

Distance: 2  kilometers 

Total climb: 110 meters 

Time taken: 50 minutes 

Map: Tidbinbilla 8627-2S 1:25 000 

Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  49 kilometers 

Start point map grid reference:  55H FA 71466 74628 

Destination:  Loop walk

End Point:  Same as start

Route

Description

The starting point for this walk is the Mountain Creek carpark in the west of the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, at the end of Mountain Creek Road. We started by following the well signposted Lyrebird Trail and then turned off to follow the Cascade Trail, which loops back to the Lyrebird and thence back to the carpark.

Merimbula Boardwalk

General Information

Grading: very easy

Distance:   4.5 kilometers

Total climb:   4 meters

Time taken:   1 hour 10 minutes

Maps:   Pambula 8824-2S 1:25 000

Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:   247 kilometers

Start point map grid reference:  street address

Destination map grid reference:   none

End point:  Same as start

Route

Description

The Merimbula Boardwalk starts just to the right before crossing the bridge at Merimbula. It follows a mixture of gravel paths and wooden boardwalks. It follows the northern edge of Boggy Creek around to the boat ramp off Lakewood Drive. It's probably best just to leave it to the pictures to describe...

Bournda National Park: Sandy Creek Walking Track

General Information

Grading:  easy

Distance:   5.6 kilometers

Total climb:   149 meters

Time taken:   1 hour 25 minutes

Maps:   Wolumla 8824-2N 1:25 000

Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:   254 kilometers

Start point map grid reference:  55H GV 61710 20067

Destination map grid reference:   none

End point:  Same as start

Route

Description

This walk started at the North Tura Picnic Area at the end of North Tura Road, about 8.5 kilometres drive north of Merimbula. Note that a park use fee of $8 per day (at the time of writing) applies and the only way of paying is to put correct change in an envelope, write your details (so you'll need a pen) and place the envelope in the designated box at the picnic area. There is a viewing platform at the picnic area overlooking Tura Beach.

I chose to do the walk counter-clockwise, so I followed the trail to the north through coastal scrub until I came to Bournda Island.

I descended down to the beach and walked up the beach a short distance, then over the rocks and on to Bournda Beach. Continuing north along the beach, and with Bournda Lagoon on my left I turned inland around the northern end of the Lagoon to reacquire the Sandy Creek Walking Track. Some nice views back towards the Lagoon, Sandy Creek and Bournda Island from this section of the track.

The track eventually descends towards Sandy Creek, which it follows for about 1.2 kilometres. At this point it is necessary to cross the Creek, which when I visited was about ankle deep and required crossing in bare feet (although it would have been easy to cross if I had been wearing hiking boots and gaiters). Here is a view of the crossing after I had passed across.

From the Creek the track climbs again. This last section of the track contained a feast of reptiles with a small black snake slithering off in front of me, followed by a goanna taking fright at my approach and climbing up a track-side tree.

After that the rest of the walk was uneventful.