List of Bushwalks in District of Belconnen

Environment

Mount Rogers Reserve Loop

Mount Rogers Reserve Loop

2.5 km circuit

45 min to 1 h

Starting from the car park at the end of Wickens Place, Fraser, this walk takes you on a circuit around Mount Rogers via a dirt fire trail. Pivoting around the reserve you’ll notice that the area is naturally higher from the districts around, thus providing you panoramic views throughout the track, without much effort. Brindabella Range and Black Mountain look spectacular from here, especially when covered in snow. In the southern part of the track, you’ll have a chance to view Lake Ginninderra and the scenic city centre of Belconnen beyond. Birdwatching here can be quite colorful, as Crimson Rosellas, Magpies and Crested Pigeons reside in the area. This walk is also quite family friendly, with wide and nearly flat fire trails along with 2 playgrounds for your kids to play in. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Environment

The Pinnacle, Mini Circuit

The Pinnacle, Mini Circuit

2.5 km circuit

45 min to 1 h 15 min

Starting from the dirt parking area on Springvale Drive, Weetangera, this circuit walk gives you a compact tour of The Pinnacle Nature Reserve, leading mostly via Pinnacle Central and Valley tracks. Keep your headphones off for this walk if you want to enjoy the beautiful tunes of kookaburras and cockatoos throughout the journey. You’ll also spot some reptilian species in summertime if you’re lucky. Thankfully, you don’t need to wait for the summer to take some kangaroo pictures. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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West Belconnen Pond Circuit

West Belconnen Pond Circuit

2.5 km circuit

40 min to 1 h

Starting from the car park on Percy Begg Circuit, Dunlop, this walk pivots around the West Belconnen Pond mostly via Bicentennial National Trail. Take this convenient pondside walk to relieve some stress if you need to, as it can serve as a quick getaway from the city. Enjoy a sandwich, or just lie down and listen to nature’s sounds as the refreshing air near the water fills into your lungs. Your dog can also join you on this journey, although you might have to give him/her a good wash as the track can be muddy at some spots. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Environment

Mount Painter from Bindubi Street(via BNT)

Mount Painter from Bindubi Street(via BNT)

2.8 km return

1 h to 1 h 30 min

Starting from Bindubi Street, Cook, this walk takes you to the summit of Mount Painter and the lookouts nearby, mostly via the Bicentennial National Trail and back. You might not feel like it at first, but as you get to the higher and more spacious parts of the hike you’ll know you’re in for some gorgeous views over the region, especially the Brindabella Range. You’ll also be able to see the Telstra Tower from the top, rising 192.5 metres above Black Mountain. The picturesque panoramic view is particularly beautiful at sundown, as the interchanging color spectrum transforms the image. This walk also can also make a great exercise, one which you can take your dog with(on lead). Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Environment

Bruce Ridge Eastern Circuit

Bruce Ridge Eastern Circuit

2.9 km circuit

45 min to 1 h 15 min

Starting from Kunzea Street, O’Connor, this circuit walk gives you a tour of the eastern part of the Bruce Ridge Nature Reserve via various tracks and trails, then loops back. In the imminent range of the city of Canberra, this compact walk through nature can be a quick getaway from the work environment. Try to spot a rock-wallaby as you make your way through the endangered Yellow Box – Blakely’s Red Gum grassy woodland. Speaking of animals, various species of birds such as the Speckled Warbler and Varied Sittella are known to reside in the area. You can even come across a Flame Robin if you’re really lucky. Dogs are allowed on leash, although keep them away from rabbit warrens as there may be phosphine gas in them due to the rabbit control program. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Environment

Starting from the end of Weatherburn Place, Bruce, this circuit walk gives you a tour of Gossan Hills Nature Reserve, visiting the hills and creeks. The reddish stones you can spot all around the site are linked to the molten crust of the earth, formed in the Silurian Period(around 420 million years ago). For your information, a gossan is an intensely oxidised, decomposed form of rock exposing an ore deposit or mineral vein beneath it. The word also means iron hat in Cornish. Hiking through these historic rocks, you’ll probably run into groups of kangaroos chilling and socializing in nature. The walk can become an entirely different, mysterious journey if you’re there when the fog sets in. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Gossan Hills Circuit

2.9 km circuit

45 min to 1 h 15 min

Environment

Aranda Bushland Circuit starts from the parking area just off Bindubi Street, Belconnen, explores the woodland of Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve via various tracks and loops back to the start. Conveniently reachable and dog-friendly, this walk gives you a great deal of nature in a quite reasonable amount of time. You won’t miss the infamous Telstra Tower of Black Mountain, a man-made structure that almost seems rebelling against nature, as you’re enjoying the scenic tracks around the reserve. You’ll be accompanied by big groups of kangaroos and even kookaburras if you’re lucky, as there are birdhouses attached to trees along the way. Get a good hold of your dog’s leash around them just in case. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Aranda Bushland Circuit

2.9 km circuit

1 h to 1 h 30 min

Aranda Bushland Circuit

Environment

Uriarra Shepherd's Lookout Circuit

Uriarra Shepherd's Lookout Circuit

3.8 km circuit

1 h 30 min to 3 h

Starting from the Uriarra East Recreation Area, ACT, this walk takes you to the riversides of Murrumbidgee and Molonglo Rivers. Visiting Shepherd’s Lookout with a side trip, the track loops back to the start. The peaceful stroll skirting Murrumbidgee River will soothe your nerves as you listen to the burbling sound of water. It will also warm you up before the rewarding climb to the lookout. You’ll come across plenty of viewpoints prior to the lookout, but the spectacular view from the top will truly be worth the effort. Throughout the walk, you may spot a kangaroo or two along with other wildlife. Snakes are pretty common in the area, try to cover your legs and feet properly. Keep in mind that the water level can rise quickly depending on how much and how long it rains, so check the forecast beforehand. Also look out for unforecasted downpours during the walk. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Environment

Starting from the dirt parking area on Springvale Drive, Weetangera, this walk takes you on a circuit around The Pinnacle Nature Reserve, exploring almost all of its borders. Take your whole family -including your dog- and enjoy the scenic tour, as the relaxing tunes of cockatoos and kookaburras accompany you throughout the journey. Kangaroos will also make an appearance as you hike the dirt tracks, so hold on to your dog’s leash. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

The Pinnacle Circuit

4 km circuit

1 h 15 min to 2 h

Environment

Mount Painter Circuit from Coulter Drive

Mount Painter Circuit from Coulter Drive

4.2 km circuit

1 h 15 min to 2 h

Starting from Colter Drive, Belconnen, this circuit walk explores the hills and grassland of Mount Painter Nature Reserve, visiting the summit of the mount along the way. The summit provides you with one of the most picturesque sunset views in Canberra, and is well worth the climb. And don't worry about that huge alien-tech looking tower in the distance, it’s human-made and is called Telstra Tower. Take the scenery in as your heart rate goes down, and maybe have a little bird spotting competition amongst your friends/family. In fact, a small portion of the woodland contains the endangered Yellow Box-Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy trees, which you can spot more bird species on. Keep in mind that dogs are allowed but have to be on lead. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Environment

Frost Hollow To Forest Walk

Frost Hollow To Forest Walk

5.3 km circuit

1 h 30 min to 2 h 30 min

5.3 km

Circuit

Walk

1 h 30 min to 2 h 30 min

Starting from the car park at the end of Old Coswell Drive, ACT, this circuit walk explores the Aranda Snowgums area and Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve, visiting many vantage points and a creek along the way. This walk is famous for being the closest walk to the city centre(less than 10 minutes drive) where you’re almost guaranteed to see multiple kangaroos. They’re used to people and may even come up to you, but please be careful as these guys have extremely strong legs. You’ll be able to view the Telstra Tower and the Black Mountain from various vantage points throughout the track. The views of nature in the dense forest and near the dam are no less interesting, and feels especially mysterious when it’s foggy. Keep in mind that the area can be busy during peak hours, so plan accordingly to avoid the crowd. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Rural

Kama Dam Circuit starts from the car park near William Hovell Drive, ACT exploring the Yellow Box-Red Gum grassy woodlands of Kama Nature Reserve and loops back. Keep an eye out for cockatoos and other wild birds as you’re making your way through the creeks and ponds of Kama, as you may catch some of them taking a bath. As you pass by the Molonglo River take a side trip and rest on the riverbed while listening to the burbling of water. Although be mindful that the area may contain unexploded ordnance, so stay on-track to be safe. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Kama Dam Circuit

5.4 km circuit

1 h 30 min to 2 h 30 min

1 h 30 min to 2 h 30 min

Environment

Starting from the car park near Ginninderra Peninsula District park and at the end of Diddams Close, Belconnen, this circuit walk pivots around Lake Ginninderra leading via a concrete footpath. Convenient to reach and paved all the way, this walk offers you excellent views across the lake for you and your family(including your dog) to enjoy without much effort. Pause and have a picnic anywhere you want as there are plenty of benches and picnic tables around. You may also run into kangaroos which can come as a surprise because you’re basically in the city. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Highlights

Lake Ginninderra Circuit

7.1 km circuit

1 h 45 min to 3 h

Lake Ginninderra Circuit

Environment