Family Bushwalkers Inc.

Sat 7 Jan—MOLONGLO RIVER, COPPINS CROSSING TO URIARRA CROSSING 9 km—Easy (7)
Leader: John C. Walking downstream from Coppins Crossing to a lunch spot. Then continue down river to Uriarra Crossing. Car shuffle required. There will be several crossings of the river so bring appropriate footwear. Cars: 20 km ($2). Maps: Canberra, Cotter, Umburra. Meet at W.

Sun 8 Jan—QUEANBEYAN RIVER & SWIM—Easy 6 km
Leader: Jan B. Walk through open country to swimming place on Queanbeyan River near White Rocks Gorge. Then further walk through bush and down steep bank to another place on same river opposite Wickerslack Lane for the rest of the day. All on tracks except for last 100 m down the bank. Total walk 6 km. return to cars by different route. ***Meet at Q. at 1.00 p.m.

Pack walk 26–29 Jan—Contact Pat or Eric P.

Sat 14 Jan—COTTER PUMPING STATION TO 'THE LOOP', MURRUMBIDGEE RIVER—12 km Easy
Leader: Lyn W. From the Cotter Pumping Station we walk along a track to "The Loop", where we have lunch. There are several opportunities for swimming. Return the same way. Cars: 30 km ($3). Meet at W.

Sun 15 Jan—MORNING WALK—YARRALUMLA CIRCUIT—6 km Very easy
Leader: Margitta A. From the lookout on Lady Denman Drive near the Governor-General’s residence we follow cycle paths to Yarralumla and the lakeshore, then to a point near Cotter Road, and after that along golf course and Dunrossil Drive back to the cars. ***Meet at the lookout at 8.50 a.m.

Car camp 21–22 Jan—Book with Lucinda.

Morning walk & brunch 22 Jan—Contact John or Davinia W.

Easy pack walk 26–29 Jan—Contact Colin or Val B.

Sat 21 Jan—EVENING WALK—CURTIN LOOP—7 km Easy
Leader: Trevor W. Take advantage of daylight saving time. We will take an easy stroll from Phillip College through the green areas surrounding Curtin and Lyons. Possibility of a meal together at one of Woden's clubs or restaurants after the walk. ***Meeting place and time: Phillip College car park, Launceston Street, at 5.00 p.m.

Sat–Sun 21–22 Jan—CAR CAMP—KYBEYAN RIVER—Medium, Easy
Leader: Lucinda L. Drive to Numeralla (one and a half hours via Cooma) car camp on private property by the Kybeyan River. Space is limited, so numbers have to be limited to 12. Saturday walk: climb about 200 m to walk along a ridge beside the Kybeyan River heading south; drop down to river for lunch and swims; return by the river—all in the new nature reserve. Sunday: a shorter walk in the area, or visit the Tuross falls and return to Canberra via Captains Flat. Cars 130 km ($13). Maps: Kybeyan, Numeralla. To book in, please phone Lucinda by Sunday 15 January.

Sun 22 Jan—MORNING WALK—THE PINNACLE & OLD WEETANGERA CEMETERY, BRUNCH AT JOHN & DAVINIA W’—7 km Easy
Leaders: John & Davinia W. We will walk around The Pinnacle via the old Weetangera cemetery for a couple of hours, returning to our house for ‘brunch’. Numbers limited to 25; please phone John or Davinia by 18 January. ***Meet at 166 Belconnen Way at 9.30 a.m.

Sun 22 Jan—GININI CIRCUIT SOUTH—7 km Medium (11) Exploratory
Leader: Peter W. From the car park at the end of the road near Mt Ginini, we will go 3 km east into Stockyard Creek (including 350 m very steep descent), then walk up to the base of the falls (5 m and 13 m high), continue up the falls and creek and go back to the car via the ex-arboretum site and the old trail through Morass Flats. Almost all off trail, slow, and rough. The satellite images show little or no 2003 burning. Total climb 480 m. Cars: 140 km ($14). Maps: Corin Dam. Meet at W.

Thu–Sun 26–29 Jan—PACK WALK—CESJACKS HUT AREA—Easy pack
Leaders: Colin & Val B. We will camp in the Cesjacks Hut area for three nights, with day walks in the direction of Mawsons Hut and Mt Jagungal on Friday and Saturday, consistent with conditions and the capabilities of the party. There could be good wildflowers. Please contact Colin or Val by 19 January for arrangements.

Thu–Sun 26–29 Jan—PACK WALK—ETTREMA GORGE—Hard
Leaders: Pat and Eric P. This will be a joint walk with the NPA. Four days in this interesting and remote 400 m deep gorge. Rock scrambling, swimming in crystal-clear pools and magnificent views. Total climb up to 800 m. Cars: 375 km ($38). Maps: Touga, Yalwal. Contact leaders by 12 January for details.

Sat 28 Jan—MT AINSLIE—10 km Easy (5)
Leader: Madeleine H. We will circle the base of Mt Ainslie in lovely forest. Gently undulating. ***Meet at corner of Kellaway St & Phillip Ave at 9.30 a.m.

Sun 29 Jan—LOWER MOLONGLO RIVER GORGES—8 km Easy (7)
Leader: John C. From Uriarra Crossing follow the Molonglo River upstream through the gorges. After lunch return either via the same route or partly on the adjacent ridge line. There are swimming holes and it will be necessary to cross the river several times. Cars: 20 km ($2). Map(s): Canberra, Cotter, Umburra. Meet at W.

Progressive dinner 4 Feb—Contact Sue W.

Family walk 5 Feb—Contact Cathy F.

Fri 3 Feb—MOUNT AINSLIE CHAMPAGNE SUNSET WALK—3 km Easy (5)
Leader : Sandra W. Enjoy nibbles while sipping champagne or fruit juice and admiring the sunset over the Brindabellas. This traditional event is always popular. Bring your own glass or mug and $3 to cover expenses. Total climb 250m. Bring a torch for the walk back down at dusk. Cancelled if weather is wet. ***Meet at War Memorial car park at 6.30 p.m.

Sat 4 Feb—PROGRESSIVE DINNER & WALK—Very easy
Leader: Sue W. Meet at 35 Gouger St, Torrens, at 4.30 p.m. for entrée, then on to 5 Luckins Place, Fadden, for dinner, then to 20/36 Shackleton Circuit, Mawson, for dessert, then back to Torrens for coffee and tea, taking about three hours. We plan to walk between these homes, but if it rains we will drive. Please ring Sue W by the preceding Tuesday 31 January to organise food contributions for the dinner. BYO drinks.

Sun 5 Feb—FAMILY WALK—CASUARINA SANDS PICNIC & BBQ—Easy
Leader: Cathy F. Enjoy a pre-dinner walk and swim on the Murrumbidgee River. Bring swimmers and dinner (BBQs available). Cancelled if it rains. Please contact Cathy if interested. ***Meet near the toilet block, left-hand turn after the entry point from Cotter Road at 4.00 p.m.

Sun 5 Feb —RED ROCKS GORGE, MURRUMBIDGEE RIVER —Easy 8 km
Leader: John C. From Pine Island, follow a track along the bank of the Murrumbidgee, then drop to the river at Red Rocks Gorge. Walk beside the river for about half a kilometre to a beautiful lunch spot with a sandy beach. Return by the same route. Maps: Tuggeranong. Meet at K..

Sun 5 Feb—BUNGONIA GORGE—8 km Medium (11)
Leader: Doug F. A steep walk down a track from the car park to the gorge, then a scramble over and under the very large boulders of Bungonia Canyon with spectacular cliffs, then rock hop, and path down the creek to Shoalhaven River for lunch and swim. There is a steep climb of 600 m back to the cars on a path, with views. Cars: 220 km ($22 plus NSW national parks entrance fee). Maps: Caoura ***Meet at Q. at 8 a.m.

Buckenderra—Contact Margaret R

Sat 11 Feb—GININI CIRCUIT NORTH—10 km Med (9).
Leader Peter W. I hope that this is a high enough altitude to be cool. I plan to walk around the flats and low hills east of Mt Ginini. Most hills are about 70 m high, but if cool we may come back over Mt Ginini. Should be mainly open forest, but rough underfoot. Less than 500 m total climb. Cars: 140 km ($14). Maps: Corin Dam. Meet at W.

Sun 12 Feb—GIGERLINE NATURE RESERVE & GORGE—9 km Medium (8)
Leader: Peter B. From Smiths Road car park south of Tharwa we follow the Murrumbidgee upstream to the gorge where we rock hop along the river until we find a good lunch spot with swimming opportunities. Return the same way. Cars: 40 km ($4). Maps: Williamsdale. Meet at K.

Sat 18 Feb—LONDON BRIDGE TO BURRA—12 km Easy (7)
Leader: John C Start at London Bridge woolshed (map reference 680048), go down to London Bridge arch, go upstream of Burra Creek on right bank to Burra and return on left bank to cars. The Burra oval may be a suitable lunch spot. Cars: 40 km ($4). Maps: Captains Flat, Williamsdale. All on Googong foreshores according to new ACT 1:100 000 map. Meet at Q.

Sat 18 Feb—GORGES OF THE ACT—14 km Medium (9)
Leaders: Pat and Eric P. From Ingledene Forest near Angle Crossing we will walk along Reedy Creek Gorge to a magnificent swimming hole on the Murrumbidgee River for a swim. If the weather is not too hot we shall visit the hidden Guises Gorge. These gorges are listed as sites of significance in the ACT. Rock-hopping and possibly river crossings. Only a short climb back to the cars. Swim time will be lengthened and the walk shortened if the weather is hot. Not much shade so an umbrella is a good idea! A car shuffle will be involved. Cars: 60 km ($6) Maps: Corin Dam, Williamsdale. ***Meet at K. at 8.20 a.m.

Sun 19 Feb—CORN TRAIL 16 km—Medium (11)
Leader: Doug F. Crossover walk that follows the old packhorse route from the coast up Clyde Mountain. Climb/descend 700 m on a reasonable track. Some views, wide range of vegetation including river rain forest. Lunch at Buckenbowra River. A classic walk on one of the early colonial routes to the tablelands. Cars: 240 km ($24). Maps: Araluen, Monga. ***Meet at Q. at 8.00 a.m.

Sat 25 Feb—FAMILY WALK—YARRALUMLA NURSERY TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE—3 km Very easy
Leader: Val B. A return walk along the lake, suitable for strollers. Cancelled if it rains. ***Meet at the rear of the Yarralumla nursery in Weston Park at 10.00 a.m.

Sat 25 Feb—MOLONGLO GORGE & SWIM—Easy (6)
Leader: Jillian B. From the picnic area in the Molonglo Nature Reserve near Queanbeyan, we will walk up the track with views into the Gorge. Explore the river area at the lunch spot. Some easy scrambling. Cars: 10 km ($1). Maps: Canberra, Bungendore. Meet at Q.

Sun 26 Feb—BLUNDELLS CREEK CIRCUIT—Medium 12 km
Leader: Allan M. A walk in the area south east of Piccadilly Circus, partly on fire trails and partly through open forest on shortcuts between trails. Cars: 80 km ($8) Maps: Cotter Dam, Tidbinbilla. Meet at W.

Family walk 5 Mar—Contact Michael D.

Sat 4 Mar—MT AINSLIE TO MT MAJURA—10 km Easy (6)
Leader: Madeleine H. A walk exploring some of the lesser known tracks in this area. A couple of short, steeper climbs. ***Meet at corner of Kellaway St & Phillip Ave at 9.30 a.m.

Sun 5 March—FAMILY WALK—GOODRADIGBEE RIVER—Easy
Leader: Michael D. A walking, swimming, perhaps li-lo trip down one of the cleanest rivers in the Canberra area. Bring morning tea and a picnic lunch. Cancelled if it rains. Please contact Michael if interested. ***Meet at the bridge over the Goodradigbee River in the Brindabella Valley, on the Tumut Road at 10.30 a.m.

Sun 5 Mar—MT BARREN JACK—10 km Medium (9)
Leader: Bob G. Leave cars near the Burrinjuck Recreation area. Climb 600 m to the summit of Barren Jack by marked track or fire trail. Return straight down to Lake Burrinjuck and along the lakeside road. If time and energy permit, we can include an additional 5 km to inspect the dam. Cars: 200 km ($20). Maps: Yass 1:50 000. ***Meet at North Lyneham shops at 8.00 a.m.

Sat 11 Mar—CORNER HILL, YANUNUNBEYAN RESERVE—7 km Easy (7)
Leader: Olivia D. This is a walk to see the very dry forest of this area and the Queanbeyan River in tranquil setting in the reserved area just upstream from the Googong Foreshores reserve. We start near Corner Hill on Woolcara Lane, and walk to Corner Hill, down to the Queanbeyan River, retrace our steps and do an arc through the forest back to the cars. The forest has almost no scrub, and is relatively easy underfoot. Total climb 260 m. Cars: 60 km ($6). Maps: Captains Flat. Meet at Q.

Sat 11 Mar—EXPLORATORY—MOUNT BEROURY, DEUA NATIONAL PARK—10 km Hard (12)
Leader: Doug F. From the Wyanbene Cave car park we walk up to the cave entrance and then NE along the Minuma Range for about 2 km. We then head SE along the ridge leading to Mount Beroury in the wilderness area of the Deua National Park. Return via same route. All off track; climb about 400m. Cars: 200 km ($20). Maps: Krawarree. ***Meet at Q. at 7.45 a.m.

Sun 12 Mar—NAMADGI VISITORS CENTRE, BUSHFOLD FLATS & BLYTHEBURN COTTAGE—12 km Medium (9)
Leader: Peter B. From the Namadgi Visitors Centre we take the Alpine Walking Track and climb 500m. At the ridge top we take a fire trail down to Bushfold Flats which then follows Blue Gum Creek, thence through open fields to Blytheburn Cottage, which is part of the National Estate. A track leads us to Booroomba Station where we will have left a car. Shuffle of 11 km required. Pleasant walk. Cars: 40 km ($4). Maps: Williamsdale, Corin Dam, Tidbinbilla. Meet at K.

Pack walk 18–20 Mar—Contact Ray F or Mary H.

Sat 18 Mar—FAMILY WALK—REGATTA POINT & NERANG POOL—2 km Very easy
Leader: Val B. Suitable for strollers. ***Meet at Regatta Point Display Centre at 10.00 a.m.

Sat 18 March—CASUARINA SANDS TO KAMBAH POOL—14 km Medium (8)
Leader: John M. Pleasant walk alongside, and then overlooking, the Murrumbidgee River. Path restored since the fires. Very little shade. Total climb 130 m. Cars:30 km ($3, car shuffle involved) Maps: Cotter, Tuggeranong. Meet at W.

Sat–Mon 18–20 March—PACK WALK—MT SCABBY AND MT GUDGENBY—Medium (10)
Leaders: Ray F & Mary H. Day 1. Starting from the Boboyan Pine Forest car park walk across the Mt Gudgenby saddle to Sams River fire trail. Follow the fire trail to a camp site below Mt Scabby. 12 km, 450 m climb. Day 2. Explore the fascinating landscape of Mt Scabby's multiple peaks with day packs. 7 km, 400m climb. Day 3. Leave the camp site and climb to the saddle north of Mt Gudgenby, then to that favourite peak. Return to the cars. 12 km and 370 m climb. Cars: 110 km ($11). Maps: Yaouk. Phone Ray or Mary by 16 March for details.

Sun 19 Mar—SMOKERS TRAIL & SMOKERS FLAT—10 km Easy (6)
Leader: Mac K From Smokers Gap car park, we proceed eastwards, following tracks and a short section off-track to pick up the Smokers Trail. We will follow this south and then west, leaving the track to follow a footpath past Smokers Flat, and return to the car park via the Square Rock walking track. Climb about 200 m. Cars: 70 km ($7) Maps: Corin Dam. Meet at K.

Sun–Sat 19–25 Mar—CAR CAMP, ACCOMMODATION—TUMUT AREA—Medium
Organizer: Peter W. We will spend the nights in Tumut, with six one-day walks on tracks or fire trails. Walks being considered are Hume and Hovell track sections (Thomas Boyd to Boundary Rd, Thomas Boyd to Tumut R, and near Tumbarumba), and walks to Big Talbingo, Peppercorn Trig, Waragong Sugarloaf, Kells Hut, Ravine & Lobbs Hole, Yarrangobilly, Quinns Ruins & Jounama Homestead, Black Perry, Michelago Peak, and Vickery’s Hut. Limited vacancies—if interested, contact Peter no later than 1March.

Sat 25 Mar—SUNNY CORNER TRAIL AND HILL 1215—12 km Medium (11)
Leader: Maureen F. Set out from the Arboretum along Sunny Corner Trail to weir. Then cross Condor Creek and climb 470m through scrub to hill 1215 for lunch. After lunch we drop down Two Sticks Road, then to Piccadilly Circus. Return to cars via old fire trail. Total Climb 600m. Cars: 80 km ($8). Maps: Cotter Dam. Meet at W.

Sun 26 March—BENDOURA HILL & BENDORA ARBORETUM—7 km Easy (7)
Leader: John M. This walk offers an opportunity to explore the only upland arboretum that survived the 2003 fires. We leave the cars 4 km S of Bulls Head Survival Shelter and follow the firebreak over Bendoura Hill, returning along Chalet Road with a visit to the arboretum for lunch. Total climb 220 m. Cars: 110 km ($11). Maps: Tidbinbilla. Meet at W.