Family Bushwalkers Inc.

Sat 1 Jul—LEGOLAND AND ELEPHANTS NEST, ORRORAL RIDGE—12 km Easy (7).
Leader: Allan M. Walk from the Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station collimation tower car park to a series of rock outcrops named by rock climbers of the ANU Mountaineering Club in the 1970s. These include Legoland, the Sentinel, Easter Island, and Elephants Nest. There should be good views of the Orroral Valley and Namadgi peaks. Return by roughly the same route. Undulating with small climb, less than 100 m. Cars: 80 km ($8). Maps: Corin Dam. Meet at K.

Sun 2 Jul—TIDBINBILLA MOUNTAIN VIA SNOWY CORNER—7 km Medium (10)
Leader: Doug F. This classic walk begins at the top car park in Tidbinbilla Nature Park and goes via part of the old Lyre Bird Track and a prominent steep ridge to Snowy Corner. From there we make our way to the top of Tidbinbilla Mountain with spectacular views of Canberra and the surrounding peaks. An excellent winter walk. Cars: 70 km ($7). Maps: Tidbinbilla. Meet at W.

Wed 5 Jul—SHORT WEDNESDAY WALK—Easy
Leader: Margitta A. Cotter trails. Meet at W.

Sat 8 Jul—HALF MOON LOOKOUT—11 km Medium
Leader: Colin B. From the car park at Glendale Crossing an easy climb of 300 m through light scrub, traversing up to a knoll overlooking Half Moon Creek valley for lunch. We can vary the route for the return to the cars. Cars: 100 km ($10). Map: Michelago. Meet at Kambah shops at 8.30 a.m.

Sun 9 Jul—'ROBYN STEWART'S ROCK'—8 km Easy (7)
Leader: Paul N. From Honeysuckle Creek camping area we walk south to ‘Robyn’s Rock’ overlooking the Orroral Valley at 786 569. Return by the same route. Cars: 80 km ($8). Maps: Corin Dam. Meet at K.

Sat 15 Jul—MT ROB ROY—8 km Easy (7)
Leader: Olivia D. A walk from the suburb of Banks to a couple of trigs to the south, to Mt Rob Roy summit at 1099 m. Mostly on track and mostly uphill for the first half. Great views over the valleys (total climb 500 m) Cars: 22 km ($2). Maps: ACT 1:100 000.; Tuggeranong 1:25 000. Meet at: K

Sun 16 Jul—MORNING WALK—EXPLORE ANU AND ACTON—7 km Easy
Leader: Margitta A. A loop from Black Mountain Peninsula through the ANU via the International Sculpture Park and around the Museum back to cars. Morning tea in the courtyard of Screensound or at the Museum. Meet 8.50 a.m. at the first parking area on the Black Mountain Peninsula. ***

Sun 16 Jul—BUNGONIA-TALLONG CROSSOVER—10 km Medium (9)
Leader: Peter W. This is a crossover walk on tracks; a descent of 450 m along a ridge, a walk along the side of the Shoalhaven River, and a climb of 450 m up a ridge. One party will start at Bungonia, and the other at Tallong (Long Point Lookout). Maps: Caoura. Cars: 300 km ($30 + NSW national park fees). Meet at ACT Craft Centre, Aspinall Street 8.00 a.m. ***

Sat 22 July—QUEANBEYAN RIVER AND JUMPING CREEK—11 km Easy (7)
Leader: Jan B. A walk along the river and creek and edges of an open valley on the outskirts of Queanbeyan. All on tracks or footpads. Total climb: 100 m. Meet at Q at 9.30 a.m. ***

Sun 23 Jul—RENDEZVOUS CREEK VALLEY AND ROCK ART—15 km Medium (8)
Leader: Eric P. From Boboyan road before the Gudgenby homestead turnoff, a reasonably level walk parallel to Rendezvous Creek in open country. Could be some boggy patches depending on weather. Walk to opposite marker rock for lunch with time out to look at a small group of rock paintings. Return same route. Total climb about 100m. Cars: 100 km ($10). Maps: Rendezvous Creek. Meet at K.

Sat 29 Jul—BIG HOLE AND MARBLE ARCH—13 km Medium (8)
Leader: Jillian B. After fording the upper Shoalhaven River, (usually 30cm deep) an easy walk of about 2 km leads to the spectacular Big Hole, 120 m deep. A further 3-4 km along tracks and fire trails takes us to the Marble Arch site. We then explore some short caves and gorges, which are unusual and very uneven underfoot and may be slippery. You may wish to bring "Dunlop Volleys" for the river crossing and/or caves. Do bring a torch. Total climb 240 m. Cars: 200 km ($20). Maps: Kain. Meet at Q at 8.00 a.m. ***

Sun 30 Jul—LAKE GEORGE—11 km Easy (7)
Leader: Judy G. A small climb of 150 m initially to the ridge fire trail. Fine views across Lake George. The walk follows a fire trail through undulating open timber. We return to the cars on a dirt road along the edge of the lake. Cars: 60 km ($6). Maps: Sutton. Meet at Q.

Sat 5 Aug—COTTER HUT ROAD AND HILL 1473—17 km Medium (10)
Leader: Max S. From Orroral car park follow Cotter Hut Rd past its junction with Australian Alps Walking Track. Follow a ridge to top of spot height 1473. Return via Australian Alps Walking Track. Climb off track for approximately 4 km. Total climb 480 m. Cars: 70 km ($7). Maps: Corin Dam, Rendezvous Creek. Meet at K.

Sun 6 Aug—QUEANBEYAN RIVER GORGE—8 km Easy (8)
Leader: Peter B. An attractive walk along a stretch of the Queanbeyan River, the highlights being a pretty little gorge and a pleasant riverside lunch spot. The walk is not long and there is not much of a climb, but the terrain is scrubby and difficult in places. Cars: 100 km ($10). Maps: Captains Flat. Meet at Q.

Sun 6 Aug—SPLIT ROCK—17 km Medium (11)
Leader: Doug F. Walk from the Orroral car park along the Alpine Walking Track to Cotter Gap. Climb up to the prominent split rock towering above Cotter Gap. Total climb 600m. Cars: 110 km ($11). Maps: Rendezvous Creek. Meet at K at 8.15 a.m. ***

7 Aug—Close of bookings for the potluck dinner on 11 Aug: Contact Sandra W

Fri 11 Aug—POTLUCK DINNER
Coordinator: Sandra W. We will enjoy a meal together where each person brings along an agreed part of the dinner to share. There will be a limit of 30. Meet at 6.30 pm for 7.00 pm, at Chapman All Souls Church Hall, on Perry Drive just east of the Chapman shops. Please book with Sandra for this popular event before Tuesday 8 August.

Sat 12 Aug—BRANDY FLAT HUT AND COFFEE AT LANYON—10 km Easy (5)
Leader: Jillian B. From the Glendale Crossing we follow the fire trail to the hut at picturesque Brandy Flat, where we will have lunch. There is a rainwater tank at the hut, so you could boil a billy. Return by the same route. A good walk for families and beginners. Total climb 150 m. Cars: 85 km ($8). Maps: Michelago. Meet at K.

Sun 13 Aug—CLEAR RANGE SOUTH FROM CALOOLA—15 km Medium (11)
Leader: Peter W. On fire trails we walk from Caloola up the Naas Valley, go to the top of the Clear Range, and walk north along the range to above Caloola. Then, off track, return down an open ridge. Total climb 800 m. Cars: 60 km ($6). Maps: Michelago. Meet at K.

Sat 19 Aug—ONION, TINDERRY RANGE—8 km Medium (11)
Leader: Peter W. We will park at the locked gate at 069432, walk 2 km along the fire trail, climb to the saddle, go to the Onion and the peak to the south for fantastic views, return by an open route to the trail, then 1 km back to the car. Using the images on the back of the new map I should be able to pick a good route up. Cancelled if the weather is poor. Wonderful forest. Total climb 450 m. Maps: Tinderry. Cars: 100 km ($10). Meet at K at 8.30 a.m. ***

Sun 20 Aug—HONEYSUCKLE TO GUDGENBY GORGE VIEW—9 km Easy (7) Leader: John M. From Honeysuckle Creek camping ground, we walk south off track through grassland and open forest for 3 km to the morning tea stop looking east over Gudgenby Gorge. Then we travel 2 km west to the link track and back along Orroral Ridge Road to the cars. Total climb 350 m. Cars 80 km ($8). Maps: Corin Dam. Meet at K.

Sat 26 Aug—CATHEDRAL ROCK—8 km Medium
Leader: Paul N. From Orroral Valley campground north up the ridge to hill 1376, then descending to a saddle and Cathedral Rock for lunch. Return to the campground along Orroral Valley. Cars: 80 km ($8). Maps: Rendezvous Creek. Meet at K.

Sun 27 Aug—FAMILY WALK—MAJURA DAMS—2 km Very easy.
Leader: Ceri T. Wander to lower dam and back. Ranger may accompany us and explain the current ‘Dragonfly project’ improving the dams for wildlife. Off-road strollers can use gravel fire trail. Cancelled if it rains. Meet at 10am at Mackenzie St entrance to Majura Nature Park (nearest to junction with Grayson St). ***

Sun 27 Aug—MT LOWDEN BY LOWDEN TRIG FIRE TRAIL—11 km Easy (7)
Leader: John M. A walk on fire trail through variable woodland in the Tallaganda State Forest east of Rossi. We leave our cars on the saddle in Lowden Road and walk towards the trig station on the Lowden Trig Fire Trail. Return by the same route. Total climb 300 m. Cars: 80 km ($8). Maps: Bendoura. Meet at Q.

Sat 2 Sep—GIBRALTAR ROCKS TO DEVILS GAP—10 km Easy (7)
Leader: Judy G. A steady climb of 300 m from the old visitors centre site, Tidbinbilla Nature Park, up to Gibraltar Rocks, and then following fire trails across to Devils Gap for lunch. Back to the starting point, avoiding the road. Total climb is 550 m, but all on trails. Cars 60 km ($6). Maps: Tidbinbilla. Meet at K.

Sun 3 Sep—HONEYSUCKLE TO BOOROOMBA ROCKS AND ‘GORILLA ROCK’—11 km Easy
Leader: Paul N. From Honeysuckle Creek camping area we follow the Alpine Track to Booroomba Rocks and southwest to ‘Gorilla Rock’ and return. Cars: 80 km ($8). Maps: Corin Dam. Meet at K.

5 Sep—Cotter Flats and Bimberi pack walk on 12–14 Sep: Contact Max S.

Sat 9 Sep—SHERWOOD RUINS AND MT DOWLING—11 km Easy (7)
Leader: Robyn K. Relaxing ramble from Blue Range Hut to Sherwood Homestead site. Morning tea at cascades followed by lunch on Mt Dowling. Cars: 90 km ($9). Maps: Cotter Dam. Meet at W.

Sun 10 Sep—MT FOXLOW AND HARRISONS PEAK—12 km Medium (11)
Leader: Trevor W. From "Chip n Dale" property we visit Harrisons Peak and Mt Foxlow, walking about half on fire trails and half cross country in the Yanununbeyan National Park. Some reasonable climbing, totalling 700 m. Cars: 70km ($7). Maps: Captains Flat. Meet at Q.

10 Sep—Navigation training on 17 Sep: Contact Trevor B

Tue–Thu 12–14 Sep—PACK WALK—COTTER FLATS AND MT BIMBERI—Medium
Leader: Max S. From Orroral car park follow Cotter Hut Road to Cotter Flats on Day 1. Day 2: Climb Bimberi and little Bimberi from the north. Return via Murrays Gap. Day 3: Return to car park. May include Coronet Peak. Maps: Rendezvous Creek. Please phone Max by Tuesday 5 September for arrangements.

Sat 16 Sep—LONDON BRIDGE TO BURRA—12 km Easy (7)
Leader: Lyn W. We walk from the London Bridge woolshed to London Bridge arch, then upstream on the right bank of Burra Creek to the village of Burra. Return to cars on the left bank of the creek. Cars: 40km ($4). Maps: Captains Flat, Williamsdale. Meet at Q.

Sun 17 Sep—MT PALERANG—12 km Medium (10)
Leader: Peter B. From Mulloon Creek ford on the Mulloon fire trail, a steady climb SE through some scrub to a ridge leading to Palerang, total climb 450 m. A shorter, steep route down to a fire trail and return to the cars along the 3 km of fire trail. Four wheel drive vehicles are essential for access to starting point as road is in poor condition and vehicle will need to ford creek to reach parking area. Cars: 100 km ($10). Maps: Bombay. Meet at Q at 8.00 a.m. ***

Sun 17 Sep—NAVIGATION TRAINING
Leader: Trevor B. Trevor will conduct a one-day introductory navigation course in a bushland setting within the ACT. The first part of the course will be spent going through the principles behind map reading and compass navigation. The second part will apply the theory in navigating around a route of varying difficulty in a bush setting. If you have (or can borrow) a Silva-type compass (or other brands), bring it along, but don’t go and buy one. Mapping material and notes will be supplied. Please contact Trevor by Sun 10 September to book a place on the course. Meet at K at 8.30 am. ***

Sat 23 Sep—MT BUDAWANG—13 km Easy (7)
Leader: Margaret R. This walk is up a graded fire trail (total climb 430m) to the fire tower at the top (lunch and panoramic views). Coffee shop stop on way back to Canberra. Cars: 240 km ($24). Maps: Braidwood. Meet at Q at 8.00 a.m. ***

Sat 23 Sep—YANKEE HATS—11 km Medium (11)
Leader: Max S. From Old Boboyan Rd car park climb southern Yankee Hat from south ridge. Continue along ridge to saddle between North and South Yankee Hats. If time permits climb Nth Yankee Hat and continue down ridge to valley. Otherwise return via creek between Yankee Hats. Climb up has extensive fallen timber and rock hopping. All off track. Climb down may be rocky and steep. Total climb 650 m. Cars 100 km ($10). Maps: Rendezvous Creek, Yaouk. Meet at K at 8.30 am. ***

Sun 24 Sep—FITZS HILL TO GLENDALE CROSSING—10 km Easy (7)
Leader: Trevor W. We start with a sharp climb of 170 m to the top of Fitzs Ridge on the fire trail, then open bush and wide rock platforms rising to a view point over Orroral Valley. Steep descent into a sheltered valley for lunch. Then up over a saddle to the stone walls and down a sheltered valley with open bush to Glendale Crossing. Total climb: 430m. Car shuffle required. Cars 90 km ($9). Maps: Michelago. Meet at K.

Sun 24 Sep—FAMILY WALK—MULLIGANS FLAT—4 km Very easy
Leader: Ceri T. Wander along fire trail to dam and back. (Off-road strollers okay.) Cancelled if it rains. Meet at Mulligans Flat car park off Gundaroo Road, north of Gungahlin town Centre, at 10.00 a.m. ***

29 Sep—Budawangs pack walk on 11–15 Oct: Contact Derek S.

30 Sep—YANKEE HAT PAINTINGS AND MIDDLE CREEK CASCADES—Easy (6)
Leader: Margitta A. Starting at the Yankee Hat car park, we walk along the track to the rock paintings, where we have morning tea. Then continue up the valley to the cascades for early lunch then over the open grasslands back to the car park. Cars: 110 km ($11). Maps: Rendezvous Creek, Yaouk. Meet at K.

Sun 1 Oct—PEAK 1101 AND TENNENT HOMESTEAD—11 km Medium (11)
Leader: Trevor B. This is a circular walk from the Namadgi Visitors Centre. We start up the Australian Alps Walking Track and ascend to the ridge north of Mt Tennent for morning break at the T junction at 845 645 (not shown on maps due to the new track alignment). We proceed north along the ridge line by track and mostly open bush to peak 1101 for some restricted views. For really superb views over the valley towards Tharwa and Rob Roy we find a rocky outcrop just east of peak 1108 through thicker bush for lunch. To get to the ruins of Tennent Homestead at 858 666 we will follow the least steep descent through variable bush. Then we rejoin the last kilometre of the Walking Track back to the start. Total climb: 630 m. Cars: 40 km ($4). Maps: Williamsdale. Meet at K.