Canberra’s top five hikes according to bushwalking expert John Evans
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Canberra abounds with natural beauty that begs to be explored, so it’s no surprise that Canberrans love a good walk.
From Lake Burley Griffin to Pialligo Redwood Forrest and stunning bush landscapes that transport you from the city, there are plenty of reasons to head outdoors (even during the cooler months) – especially when an off-track adventure can introduce you to a side of Canberra you’ve never seen before.
But if you’re stuck for inspiration when planning your next walk, it helps to ask a bushwalking expert. We sat down with John Evans from Johnny Boy’s Walkabout Blog to chat about all things bushwalking – and to find out his top picks for a hike in Canberra.
Why did you begin Johnny Boy’s Walkabout Blog?
My daughter knows how to press my buttons so that’s where the ‘Johnny Boy’ comes from. Originally it was to share my adventures with family, but there was little interest. A byline is to “… get out and breathe a bit of fresh air” and the blog has developed into a go-to source of hikes in the ACT and surrounding NSW.
My world view is based on stewardship, which means to both use and preserve the natural environment for future generations.
When did your love of bushwalking begin and why do you enjoy it?
Like many baby boomers, my introduction to Country was through the Scouting movement, school Cadets, and the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme. A number of years in an Army Reserve infantry unit continued this association, although it is hard to appreciate the bush while managing tactics and barking orders.
Work and family rightfully led to time out, but retirement opened new opportunities. I did a navigation refresher course with the Canberra Bushwalking Club and got ‘sucked right in’ to the joys of visiting new places in the bush. Some were close to home in Namadgi National Park, others in the wilds of Tasmania.
What makes a good bushwalk?
An extra good walk has an edge, a special attraction. It might be a new destination, walking at night by moonlight, rock-hopping in a creek in mid-summer or snowshoeing in winter. Views are important, so a high point should be included. Social connection with old and new friends is important; equally important is connection with nature. When human activity ceases the bush comes alive.
What are your top five hikes near Canberra?
There is heaps of research concluding that walking is good for both our body and soul. Combine that exercise with ‘nature connectedness’ and you have a great recipe for enjoyment in life.
Any walk is a good walk! My personal favourites are:
Cascade Trail, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
This is a short walk over bridges that crosses gurgling streams and leads to a magnificent cascade and giant tree ferns. The photo won’t diminish your delight at seeing it. Just 30 minutes from Canberra via scenic drive, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve has many other trails and picnic spots. Pick up a map and more information here.
Canberra Nature Park
There are 39 Nature Reserves in the Canberra Nature Park and most of us live within a cooee of them. Whether you live northside (e.g. Mulligans Flat), central (e.g. Jerrabomberra Wetlands), or southside (e.g. Rob Roy), we can pop out for a half-day fix with family or friends, then enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Rendezvous Creek Walk
To get here, you’ll have to drive around 40km south through Namadgi National Park on sealed roads. Watch out for kangaroos! There are exhilarating views on either side of bushland and mountain tops. Park at the Rendezvous Creek car park and walk the less than 3km well-formed loop track. It passes by mossy boulders and through forest into open grasslands. Stop at the lookout with bush furniture for views into the rugged Bimberi Wilderness. Can you hear the mountains calling you?
The Canberra Centenary Trail
This 145km long trail wends its way through Canberra’s urban fringe and open spaces, including the Parliamentary Triangle. Choose a section that interests you but do it with friends as you may have to organise a car shuttle. My favourite part is from Kambah Pool to Tuggeranong, which includes the Red Rocks Gorge lookout on the Murrumbidgee River.
Mount Tennent, from the Namadgi Visitors Centre Tharwa
You can walk as little or as much as you like (including 640km on the Australian Alps Walking Track across the rooftop of Australia down into Victoria!). Take a stroll around the Woodland Loop to visit the historical ‘Gudgenby in a box’, a huge Indigenous scar tree, and ‘The Mouat Tree’. Walk around 5km return to Cypress Pine Lookout, or hike to the top, a heart-thumping 14km return and 800-metre climb (that’s like climbing Black Mountain over four times). Some ‘pain’ will be rewarded by the ‘gain’ of breathtaking views. Call in to the Namadgi Visitors Centre to purchase a map of Namadgi National Park walking tracks and chat with the friendly Rangers.
