Tongs Hole (photo Mike B)

Sunday 29 June 2025: Tongs Hole to Namarag * – M/E. Chris D led this walk for me a fortnight ago when I was crook. Join me to experience it if you missed out last time. We walk from Tongs Hole through the Lower Molonglo Nature Reserve to Namarag. Should be great views down into the Molonglo River along the high places. A track most of the way. We’ll dip down to the river at a couple of points. Around 11km and 400vm, taking about 4 hours. Car shuttle required.

Summary

From Garmin Connect (recorded on Epix Gen 2) – Distance: 11.07km | Climb: 325vm | Time: 2:32 moving + 0:47 of stops = 3:19 | Grading: M/E; M(8).

Photographs

View photographs here. Check out the beauties by Mike B.

gpx file

Download the gpx file here.

Track Maps

Here’s where we went:

Track Tongs Hole to Namarag on 2003 mosaic of Umburra, Cotter Dam, Canberra maps

Trip Report

I was last in this area on 4 Dec 07, when we walked the true left bank and downstream from Coppins Crossing to Uriarra Crossing.

We met at Namarag in Whitlam. It was frosty.

A frosty meet at the Namarag carpark

We did a car and walker shuttle to the end of Stockdill Drive in Gininderry. The walk starts at a Tongs Hole sign on the verge of the road, just before the Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre (aka Canberra’s poo farm).

A footpad/walking track with steps took us down to the Molonglo River.

Walking down to Tongs Hole (photo Mike B)

Tongs Hole looks like a pleasant summer swimming spot. Several pics in the photo album.

Crappy from me

Tongs Hole

and superb from Mike.

Tongs Hole (photo Mike B)

We made our way up a spur from the river in order to skirt the top of a bluff.

Heading up from Tongs Hole to get round the next river bluff (photo Mike B)

We picked up a footpad/old vehicle track and walked the edge of the Nature Reserve boundary (check my less than well composed photos if interested).

At around 9.30am (1 hour into the hike) we came upon a certain sign of civilisation.

Aprasia Link signage where we head down to the river

Rather than follow the arrow, we turned down to the river. First on an old benched vehicle track, which deteriorated into a footpad as it approached the river.

Mine 🙁

Down at the Molonglo River again

Mike’s 😊

Down at the Molonglo River again (photo Mike B)

Back up at the trail sign, a great spot for morning tea was found.

On our feet again at 10.20am, the remaining 1hr 20mins and 6.8km was less visually satisfying (unless you like poo pipes).

Quick poo pipe service road walking

Although, if you’re an engineer, there are interesting features.

What is it?

The morning ended up a beaut day, once the frost cleared. Better to be walking than on the couch.

Thanks all. Trust you enjoyed the hike.

The AllTrails map is here, where you can pan and zoom.

Party

13 walkers – Mike B, Andrea C, Mel C, Rose F, Eric G, Shannon H, Dagmar K, Rowan L, Trevor L, Jaime P, Kiko P, Yanping Y, me.