Johnny Boy's Walkabout Blog

Wednesday 23 February

Wednesday 23 February 2022: National Arboretum #2 – S/E. A Wander in the more southerly and central Arboretum CBC walk ~6 kms. Please park near the Zoo ready to walk by 8.30am and then we will walk through a small tunnel to the Arboretum. From there wander through the Forests to the southern border including the Callery Pears planted to remember 9/11, the Clanwilliam Cypresses planted in memory of the Australians who fought in the Boer War, past the Franklin Tree, no longer living in the wild and a host of other interesting Forests. Further on we will look at the Wollemi Tree and walk up to the Margaret Whitlam Pavilion and around the Amphitheatre to the 6 special Gardens. From there to the Visitors Centre —yes you can look at the Bonsai and have a coffee. We will complete this walk by going down the zigzag path and back to the tunnel . Along the way I will talk about some of these forests and you may understand why this Arboretum is a World First and a repository of many endangered, rare and some extinct forest species . Turn up on the day or email me if you wish, and please be prepared to wear masks in the VC and Bonsai areas.

Summary

Distance: 7.2km | Climb: 145m | Time: 2hrs 10mins moving time, plus 1hr 30mins of stops and breaks | Grading: S/E; E(5).

Photographs

Photographs are available here.

gpx File

Download the gpx file recorded via AllTrails here (in AllTrails, activate …, Download Route, Select a file format, OK).

Track Notes

AllTrails trip report.

A second look at the National Arboretum, led by the fabulous Janet D.

Some different areas this time, including the Gallery of Gardens, which I don’t think I’ve visited before.

There’s a great interactive resource at https://www.nationalarboretum.act.gov.au/living-collections/interactive-map (as long as the wretched ACT Government IT people don’t change the URL, as they are very much wont to do!), as part of the National Arboretum web site at https://www.nationalarboretum.act.gov.au/ .

There’s an Arboretum map at https://www.nationalarboretum.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/1496371/arboretum-master-map.pdf .

We walked from the front of the National Zoo and Aquarium along its outer fence to a tunnel under the Tuggeranong Parkway, headed SW through various forests to near the power lines.

Then generally NE, past a sculpture …

… and through more forests and the Wollemi Pines.

Under the Margaret Whitlam Pavilion …

… and up the beautifully green Amphitheatre

… to the edge of the Village Centre. Here we were met by the Arboretum Director, who told us about several aspects of the operation of the Arboretum. A real bonus. We then strolled through the Gallery of Gardens.

A lovely view down the avenue leading to the Margaret Whitlam Pavilion.

Then to the Discovery Gardens.

And finally the Bonsai display.

Here I look my leave and walked back to the start, just in time for a rain shower.

It’s really worth a look through the photos or, better still, visit yourself!

Track Map

The best track map is available via AllTrails, where you can pan and zoom.

Here it is, too.

Party

Leader Janet D. 33 walkers.

Sunday 13 February

Sunday 13 February 2022: National Arboretum – M/M. A circuit of the Arboretum with good views and some hills. From Cork Forest we walk up the hill to Wide Brown Land sculpture with expansive views. From there follow the track to STEP, another forest designed and planted by botanists to show case the original vegetation before white settlement from the coast to inland about Orange/Tamworth area. From there we traverse many of the forests at the back of the Arboretum.and rarely visited. Climb the hill passing the pine forest and onto the southern area. We walk through forests that are now severely endangered or extinct in the wild eg. Franklin Tree. From there walk back towards the Margaret Whitlam Pavilion to view the Wollemi trees and onto Visitors Centre. After visiting the VC wander down the zigzag path and back to the Cork Forest.

Summary

Distance: 8.1km | Climb: 224m | Time: Starting 9.10am 2hrs 45mins moving time, plus 2hrs 15mins of stops and breaks | Grading: S/E-M; E(6).

Photographs

Photographs are available here.

gpx File

Download the gpx file recorded via AllTrails here (in AllTrails, activate …, Download Route, Select a file format, OK).

Track Notes

AllTrails trip report.

“Suffer in your jocks” is a classic line from the 1997 Australian film ‘The Castle’. It means “a real pity you missed out!”. There should be plenty of suffering by those who missed this walk. Led by Janet D, a long-time National Arboretum volunteer and guide, she shared with us a huge wealth of information. Most of it went in one ear and out the other for me, not for lack of trying to remember, but there was so much to take in. It was marvellous to hear the stories of the Arboretum development and forest characteristics as we walked about.

We met in the Cork Oak car park and headed up through the nearby forests.

A lot of my photos are just labelled ‘National Arboretum’ as individual forest signs had been vandalised and since removed.

Our route took us to Lakeside Hill and the ‘Wide Brown Land’ sculpture.

Then W-ish across the northern edge of the Arboretum. Unfortunately the STEP (Southern Tablelands Ecosystem Park) area was temporarily closed. We joined the main vehicle road at another sculpture, perhaps not quite so well received.

The National Arboretum is a popular place. A whole heap of vehicles, people, bike riders and walkers today. Apparently the third most popular tourist destination in Canberra.

We stopped at several more forests, each of course unique. At each, Janet had superb information for us.

A lot of our route was off-track and we approached Dairy Farmers Hill from the NW. Views to the developing Molonglo Valley suburbs.

Dairy Farmers Hill is the high point of the Arboretum. A couple of sculptures, including the wonderful nest.

We stopped for morning tea and to enjoy the views.

We headed SW from here, across the underground water storage tanks and down through a cool, mature forest.

Then S into the flatter part of the area.

A brief attempt by me to get the digital tour going. This must be the way to do it, if you’re without an experienced guide, due to the lack of forest signage.

By this time we were down near the Parkway.

Many dignitaries plant trees in the Arboretum.

We stopped for lunch in the shade, with views up towards the Margaret Whitlam Pavilion and down towards the main dam.

After lunch we walked up towards the Wollemi Pines.

This planting was the pièce de résistance for me. Not only seeing the growing Wollemi Pines, but appreciating the hours of volunteer work that goes into collecting seed to ensure the continuation of this rare tree. Each of the hundreds of little bags are individually numbered.

The foliage is also unique, three sets of leaves (must be a technical term I don’t know) growing at 90°.

David Noble, the discoverer of Wollemi Pines, has a (sunburnt at the top) Pine dedicated to his visit. “Wollemia nobilis (Wollemi pine). This tree is dedicated to Mr David Noble, in recognition of his discovery of the Wollemi pine in 1994. In celebration of Mr Noble’s visit to the National Arboretum Canberra during Tree Week 2015”.

We walked under the Visitors Centre and intersected the zigzag track. Patches of colour.

Our final leg took us up and across the main entrance road and through the Himalayan Cedars.

Down through the Magnolias …

… and figs (the volunteers make jams and chutneys to sell on market days).

Back to the cars.

A wonderful tour of the Arboretum led by a most knowledgeable guide!

Track Map

The best track map is available via AllTrails, where you can pan and zoom.

Party

Leader Janet D. 9 walkers.

Post Script

If you want to “suffer in your jocks” no more, book on Janet’s No 2 Arboretum Wednesday Walk on 23 February when it’s advertised.