Steve's Off the Beaten Path Guide
Trails
From Lake Ginninderra, Basement Level 3 Exit (B3), follow the Centenary Trail by foot or bike, southeast towards College Street, before turning left and heading up College Street towards the University of Canberra. If you following this road on the right hand side, you will immediately begin the trail towards the summit of Gossan Hill. The view from the top of the hill is wonderful. There are many animals along the trail and plenty of fire trails and MTB paths to take. This is the closest "off the beaten path" you can get to Thuis.
Gossan Hill Nature Reserve connects you to Bruce Ridge and the Aranda Nature Reserve. You only need to cross one road (each) to access these from Gossan. From here you can explore nature all day before heading back to Thuis!
Gossan Hill Nature Reserve
From Lake Ginninderra, Basement Level 3 Exit (B3), follow the Centenary Trail by foot or bike, southeast towards College Street, before turning left and heading up College Street towards the University of Canberra. If you following this road on the right hand side, you will immediately begin the trail towards the summit of Gossan Hill. The view from the top of the hill is wonderful. There are many animals along the trail and plenty of fire trails and MTB paths to take. This is the closest "off the beaten path" you can get to Thuis.
Gossan Hill Nature Reserve connects you to Bruce Ridge and the Aranda Nature Reserve. You only need to cross one road (each) to access these from Gossan. From here you can explore nature all day before heading back to Thuis!
Bruce Ridge Nature Reserve has some designated MTB Trails as well as a number of well formed Fire Trails to explore by foot or wheel from Thuis. Access to the Reserve is from Gossan Hill (south east corner) and across Haydon Drive (via the Pedestrian Crossing). Enter Bruce Ridge Nature Reserve from the Bike Path (50m) or travel along the Bike Path to underneath Gungahlin Drive where the well sign posted MTB trails begin.
Bruce Ridge Nature Reserve
Bruce Ridge Nature Reserve has some designated MTB Trails as well as a number of well formed Fire Trails to explore by foot or wheel from Thuis. Access to the Reserve is from Gossan Hill (south east corner) and across Haydon Drive (via the Pedestrian Crossing). Enter Bruce Ridge Nature Reserve from the Bike Path (50m) or travel along the Bike Path to underneath Gungahlin Drive where the well sign posted MTB trails begin.
The Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve is accessible from Thuis via the Pedestrian Bridge over Belconnen Way or by Car and parking in a nearby street. The Reserve sits between Gossan Nature Reserve and the National Arboretum to its south. This makes the Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve a great transit spot for biking, hiking, running or walking between these great nature parks. The Reserve offers a wonderful high point at its summit and is home to the Aranda Snowgums and the Forest Hollow to Forest Walk. This includes a small Dam and plenty of wildlife, including Kangaroos. Access is to the Arboretum is via a pedestrian only tunnel underneath William Hovell Drive.
Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve
The Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve is accessible from Thuis via the Pedestrian Bridge over Belconnen Way or by Car and parking in a nearby street. The Reserve sits between Gossan Nature Reserve and the National Arboretum to its south. This makes the Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve a great transit spot for biking, hiking, running or walking between these great nature parks. The Reserve offers a wonderful high point at its summit and is home to the Aranda Snowgums and the Forest Hollow to Forest Walk. This includes a small Dam and plenty of wildlife, including Kangaroos. Access is to the Arboretum is via a pedestrian only tunnel underneath William Hovell Drive.
Black Mountain Nature Reserve offers lots of exploring from well formed Fire Trails to hiking tracks. You can walk to the summit which ends at the top of Telstra Tower or you can do a loop of the Reserve, where one side is ecologically different to the other. You can reach Black Mountain Nature Reserve via Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve (the Pedestrian tunnel under Gungahlin Drive) or by car, there are car parks on Belconnen Way and Gungahlin Drive. A lessen known connection is from the north east end of the Reserve, crossing at the intersection of Fairfax Street and Belconnen Way. This gives you access to Bruce Ridge and O'Connor Ridge too. For those keen on trail running or biking, Black Mountain Nature Reserve is very accessible from Thugs without needing to cross many roads with plenty of options to avoid this where necessary.
Black Mountain Nature Reserve
Black Mountain Nature Reserve offers lots of exploring from well formed Fire Trails to hiking tracks. You can walk to the summit which ends at the top of Telstra Tower or you can do a loop of the Reserve, where one side is ecologically different to the other. You can reach Black Mountain Nature Reserve via Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve (the Pedestrian tunnel under Gungahlin Drive) or by car, there are car parks on Belconnen Way and Gungahlin Drive. A lessen known connection is from the north east end of the Reserve, crossing at the intersection of Fairfax Street and Belconnen Way. This gives you access to Bruce Ridge and O'Connor Ridge too. For those keen on trail running or biking, Black Mountain Nature Reserve is very accessible from Thugs without needing to cross many roads with plenty of options to avoid this where necessary.
Mount Painter Nature Reserve is easily accessed by foot or bike from the Pedestrian Path that starts at the intersection of Belconnen Way and Benjamin Way in Macquarie. This is about 1000m from Thuis (south south west). Mount Painter Nature Reserve has a wonderful 360 view from its summit and is picture perfect for sunsets or watching Hot Air Balloons. It is also accessible by car from Booth Cres or the car park at Coulter Drive. The ascent is quite steep and is not accessible. You can also reach Mount Painter Nature Reserve by foot or bike from the Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve vis the Pedestrian Tunnel underneath Bindubi Street.
Mount Painter Nature Reserve
Booth CrescentMount Painter Nature Reserve is easily accessed by foot or bike from the Pedestrian Path that starts at the intersection of Belconnen Way and Benjamin Way in Macquarie. This is about 1000m from Thuis (south south west). Mount Painter Nature Reserve has a wonderful 360 view from its summit and is picture perfect for sunsets or watching Hot Air Balloons. It is also accessible by car from Booth Cres or the car park at Coulter Drive. The ascent is quite steep and is not accessible. You can also reach Mount Painter Nature Reserve by foot or bike from the Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve vis the Pedestrian Tunnel underneath Bindubi Street.
The Pinnacle Nature Reserve, The Pinnacles, is well worth exploring. The tracks offer plenty of adventure and the main Fire Trail backs onto some of the best backyards in the suburbs of Weetangera and Hawker. There is also some geocaching treasures to find if you are looking for something different to do.
The Pinnacle Nature Reserve
The Pinnacle Nature Reserve, The Pinnacles, is well worth exploring. The tracks offer plenty of adventure and the main Fire Trail backs onto some of the best backyards in the suburbs of Weetangera and Hawker. There is also some geocaching treasures to find if you are looking for something different to do.
The National Arboretum offers so much from many different tree plantations (forests), MTB trails, hiking paths, The Pod Playground, Dairy Farmer's Lookout, Restaurant and more. This place is highly recommended. The National Arboretum is accessible from Thuis by foot or bike via the Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve. You can also drive there, but where's the fun in that?
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Narodowe Arboretum w Canberze
Forest DriveThe National Arboretum offers so much from many different tree plantations (forests), MTB trails, hiking paths, The Pod Playground, Dairy Farmer's Lookout, Restaurant and more. This place is highly recommended. The National Arboretum is accessible from Thuis by foot or bike via the Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve. You can also drive there, but where's the fun in that?
Situated to the North North East of the National Arboretum, the Cork Oak Plantation lies between the Arboretum and the Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve on the other side of William Hovell Drive. There are a number of resting chairs underneath the tree canopies to provide a very peaceful place to stop and enjoy the beauty of this not so known wonder. There is a car park at the Arboretum which gives you access to the Cork Oak Plantation or you can get there by foot or bike, the Pedestrian Path from the intersection of Benjamin Way and Belconnen Way (starting in Macquarie) leads you straight there. It is mostly downhill (on the way there anyway).
Cork Oak Plantation
Cork Oak RoadSituated to the North North East of the National Arboretum, the Cork Oak Plantation lies between the Arboretum and the Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve on the other side of William Hovell Drive. There are a number of resting chairs underneath the tree canopies to provide a very peaceful place to stop and enjoy the beauty of this not so known wonder. There is a car park at the Arboretum which gives you access to the Cork Oak Plantation or you can get there by foot or bike, the Pedestrian Path from the intersection of Benjamin Way and Belconnen Way (starting in Macquarie) leads you straight there. It is mostly downhill (on the way there anyway).
Starting from the eastern tip of the National Arboretum, you can follow the trails along the Molonglo River Reserve all the way (there abouts) to Shepherds Lookout at Holt, where the Molonglo meets the Murrumbidgee River. Right along the River there is plenty to explore by foot or bike, there is no car access. This is quite some distance from Thuis but it is the furthest point in our Off-the-beaten path treks unless you kick onto Stromlo Forest Park which is easily accessible from the Arboretum entry to Molonglo River Reserve.
Namarag - Molonglo River Reserve
Starting from the eastern tip of the National Arboretum, you can follow the trails along the Molonglo River Reserve all the way (there abouts) to Shepherds Lookout at Holt, where the Molonglo meets the Murrumbidgee River. Right along the River there is plenty to explore by foot or bike, there is no car access. This is quite some distance from Thuis but it is the furthest point in our Off-the-beaten path treks unless you kick onto Stromlo Forest Park which is easily accessible from the Arboretum entry to Molonglo River Reserve.
A purpose built outdoor adventure sport ground(s), Stromlo Forest Park provides a Cross Country Running Track (grass) with its local Kangaroo population, the Criterium Circuit for Road Bikes and the like, the playground, the Handlebar (great burgers) Cafe and of course the world class MTB and BMX tracks. Stromlo Forest Park is also the kick off point for longer rides along the Cotter / Uriarra loop. The Park is best accessed by Car, but it can be reached from the National Arboretum via the Molonglo River Reserve. I have personally run this track and its about 15km one way from Thuis, but very enjoyable.
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Stromlo Forest Park
Dave McInnes RoadA purpose built outdoor adventure sport ground(s), Stromlo Forest Park provides a Cross Country Running Track (grass) with its local Kangaroo population, the Criterium Circuit for Road Bikes and the like, the playground, the Handlebar (great burgers) Cafe and of course the world class MTB and BMX tracks. Stromlo Forest Park is also the kick off point for longer rides along the Cotter / Uriarra loop. The Park is best accessed by Car, but it can be reached from the National Arboretum via the Molonglo River Reserve. I have personally run this track and its about 15km one way from Thuis, but very enjoyable.
The Cotter River is absolutely stunning waterway and part of Canberra's water catchment. There are campgrounds, picnic spots, fire trails and more to explore. This is best accessed by Car or by bike from Stomlo Forest Park. The Cotter River feeds into the Cotter Dam.
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Cotter River
The Cotter River is absolutely stunning waterway and part of Canberra's water catchment. There are campgrounds, picnic spots, fire trails and more to explore. This is best accessed by Car or by bike from Stomlo Forest Park. The Cotter River feeds into the Cotter Dam.
Looking at The Cotter Dam is just one thing to do at the Reserve at its base along Cotter River Road. The playground, the picnic area, the walk way and the paths leading off into the hills are all worth exploring in their own right. The Cotter Dam is best accessed by Car from Thuis or by bike from Stromlo Forest Park.
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Cotter Dam
Looking at The Cotter Dam is just one thing to do at the Reserve at its base along Cotter River Road. The playground, the picnic area, the walk way and the paths leading off into the hills are all worth exploring in their own right. The Cotter Dam is best accessed by Car from Thuis or by bike from Stromlo Forest Park.
O'Connor Ridge is separated from Bruce Ridge by a mere Bike Path, so it is easily explored from Thuis by bike or foot. The hilly terrain offers plenty for everybody and the MTB tracks are a nice touch.
Canberra Nature Park, O'Connor Ridge
O'Connor Ridge is separated from Bruce Ridge by a mere Bike Path, so it is easily explored from Thuis by bike or foot. The hilly terrain offers plenty for everybody and the MTB tracks are a nice touch.