Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve: Camels Hump from Pierces Creek Forest

General Information

Grading:  medium

Distance:   17 kilometers

Total climb:   856 meters

Time taken:   4 hours 40 minutes

Maps:   Cotter Dam 8627-2N 1:25 000; Tidbinbilla 8627-2S

Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:   32 kilometers

Start point map grid reference:  55H FA 73846 83772

Destination map grid reference:  55H FA 72009 79081

End point:  same as start

Route

http://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/

Description

The start point for this walk is a locked gate in the Tidbinbilla Range Road at map reference 55H FA 73846 83772.  Passing through the gate we followed Tidbinbilla Range Road steadily upwards, including some quite steep sections. Our first stop was at the top of the range where there is a water tank and a view of Canberra in the distance out to the northeast.

Not much further on was Black Spring Mountain, which was hardly noticeable and didn't provide any views. Continuing along the road we came to a side track that took us up to the top of Pierce Hill, which did have some views and a sheltered spot to have some morning tea.

To save some time, we went bush from Pierce Hill directly south to pick up the Tidbinbilla Range Road once more. Eventually we came to the Camels Hump walking trail and ascended Camels Hump. By this time encroaching drizzle made photography unsatisfying.

We retraced our steps to get back to the starting point. The only particularly interesting part of the return journey was two emus who came on to the road just south of Pierce Hill and walked along in front of us for a while before they took fright and ran back into the bush.