Johnny Boy's Walkabout Blog

Tuesday 13 December 2022: Evening walk – Molonglo River to Barrer Hill. From the pond next to the RSPCA, we will cross the Molonglo River and follow trails up to Barrer Hill. Then a pleasant walk to Misery Point. Return over Southwell Crossing.

Summary

From Garmin Connect – Distance: 7.98km | Climb: 223m | Time: 1:43 moving + 0:15 of stops = 1:58 | Grading: S/E; E(5).

Photographs Photographs are available here.

gpx File The gpx file is available here.

Track Notes

I was last in this area on 12 Mar 22.

Signage says “In 2014, Barrer Hill was named in honour of the late Canberra-based ecologist and environmental advocate, Dr Peter Maling Barrer (1942-1997).”

We wandered down across the bridge over Weston Creek, then over Clos Bridge which spans the Molonglo River.

Fire trails took us to the base of the hill and we climbed up to the top for views from the eastern lookout.

Back down the hill, we continued our anti-clockwise walk, passing various nesting boxes. Signage says “A novel restoration technique has been trialled here involving the relocation and resurrection of ten vertical habitat structures (five intact trees and five utility poles). These structures are designed to mimic some of the important habitat functions of mature trees, providing benefits to wildlife in the short term. All structures have been safely secured in underground concrete pads and have been enriched with cross perches, artificial hollows and artificial bark.”

At the western flank of Barrer Hill we took the track towards Misery Point. Not a very encouraging name, so it’s now called the Barrer Track. Arrived at the fabulous ‘Life Support’ sculpture.

Wandered down to the river.

As every good leader should, Ana went home and turned up some research on the naming of Misery Point. See here for a CT article by Ian Warden in Feb 2014. The source of the tale, Tales and Legends of Canberra Pioneers by Samuel Shumack, is here. There’s another mention in an Ian Warden CT column in Jan 2014 here.

We returned up-river, scattering kangaroos. Signage said Southwell Crossing was closed until September 2020, so we pressed on over it.

Some big timber had come down the Molonglo in recent rains.

Returned to our cars, finishing at 8:05pm.

A nice evening stroll with nice friends. Well led by Ana. Do book and come along next Tuesday evening, although the leader will not be as gracious.

Track Map

Here’s where we went on Canberra 1:25000 topo. Copyright 2003, so a few suburbs missing.

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

Party

5 walkers – Jeff B, Laeli H, Sandra T, Ana V (Leader), me.

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