This walk was organised and led by me as a Parkway ramble:

(Monday 24 March - Parkway Ramble: Glenburn-Burbong Historic Sites from the Kings Highway - M/E. With Twelve historic sites in the Glenburn and Burbong areas of the Kowan Forest, Australian Capital Territory, Colin McAlister, published by National Parks Association of the ACT Inc, Canberra, 2007 as a guide, a round to visit each of these fabulous historic sites. The Colverwell graves are the earliest known marked graves in the ACT.  Around 13km and 150m total climb. Map: Bungendore. Leader: John Evans – jevans@pcug.org.au, (h) 6288 7235. Transport: ~$10. Further details at http://jevans.pcug.org.au.)

16 of us from Parkway and a very brave Cristina (who'd found this blog and asked if she could join us) met at 8am and drove through Queanbeyan to just over the Burbong Bridge on the Kings Highway.

Returning to cover Glenburn Hayshed and Yards Ruins.

Hello everyone

For physical exercise is of some value ... 1 Tim 4:8

Are you in Canberra for Easter? How about a little wander around an extremely interesting area boasting 12 historic sites of European settlement in the Glenburn and Burbong areas next to the Kowen Forest, ACT.

When: Easter Monday 24 March 2008, 8am. Finish around 4pm.

Where: Parkway carpark - we'll car pool from there. Alternatively, if you live closer to Queanbeyan, let me know and we can meet at the corner of the Kings Highway and Charcoal Kiln Road, on your left 400m after crossing the Burbong Bridge, at 8.45am. What: A 13km walk, mainly on forestry roads and across rolling, open grassed paddocks, to visit 12 historic sites of European settlement. They include the earliest known marked European graves in the ACT (the Colverwell graves 1837), the Glenburn Homestead (c1897) and the ruins of the substantial Collier's Homestead (c1880).

How: Bring water, snacks and lunch, closed toe shoes (runner fine), hat, sunscreen and suitable clothing for the day. Carry in a backpack to keep your hands free. Contact me: If you'd like to join in, please let me know prior to Good Friday 21 March. I may be able to organise local car pooling/transport and I must know who's coming for safety reasons.

Further information: Although this is easy walking, it is 13km and we'll be out most of the day. For safety reasons I will have a car 3km in from the Highway, so if you'd like to come and 13km is too far, it could be reduced to 7km walk + 6km drive. If you'd like a preview, take a look at http://members.pcug.org.au/~jevans/Pages/Walk%20Descriptions/2008_01_29.htm. Ask me if you want more info.

This will be fun. Do consider. Welcome back previous Parkway Ramblers. Come and join us if you haven't before. Please spread the word to others you think may be interested. Don't forget to RSVP!

Cheers and God bless. John

Route Card

Walk

Under showery skies we took the deluxe tour, driving in along Charcoal Kiln Road to park just near the Glenburn Shearers Quarters (see pic 5). Many of our objectives could be seen from here. As soon as the 16 of us got organised, we trotted down to view the Glenburn Hayshed remains and Grass Cutter (see pic 4), returning via the ships tank in the creek line. A squiz at the Shearers Quarters and Shearing Shed (see pic 5), raincoats on and off a couple of times, then down the fence line for the easiest access to the Colverwell Graves (see pic 6). From here we made a bee-line towards the Homestead and were rewarded by the magnificent sight of 2 wedge-tailed eagles sitting in the pine tree by the hayshed and yards site (see pic 1). They gracefully took to the air as we approached. I photographed the Glenburn Hayshed and Yards ruin (see pic 2) several times, as this was my reason to return to the area - as well, of course, to share it with friends. On to the Glenburn Homestead (see pic 7) for a good poke about. At each site I was able to read from Col McAlister's excellent book Twelve historic sites in the Glenburn and Burbong areas of the Kowen Forest, Australian Capital Territory, Colin McAlister, published by National Parks Association of the ACT Inc, Canberra, 2007. Next to the Glenburn Sheep Yards and Dip (see pic 8). We mused as to how the dip might have been emptied (if, indeed, it ever was). Next to the Charcaol Kilns and site of the Kowen Public School (see pic 9), then back to the cars where we found morning tea. This loop was 2.7km.

Undaunted by this strenuous exercise, everyone chose to drive back along Charcoal Kiln Road to the 'Copper' turn off, where we parked. The Burbong loop took us to the site of the Kowen Copper Mine (see pic 10) and under the low slung and aircraft-danger balled power lines to the magnificent Colliers Homestead ruin (see pic 11). The blackberries were fat and sweet and the pear trees in the old orchard laden with (green and hard) fruit. Across the way we had a good look for the site of Curleys Hut. Alas, totally consumed by blackberries, but we were able to identify the post and paved area, and small orchard, a few metres to the S (see pic 3). We saw and heard a large flock of black cockatoos in the distance. A kilometre or so around the fire trail, down across Glenburn Creek and along River Road, and across the putrid little crossing of the Molonglo River between wide pools, took us to the Argyle ruin (see pic 12). Back to River Road and into the blackberries a few tens of metres to the last site, John Coppins Homestead ruins (see pic 13). Lunch was taken, then we wandered back to the cars through a wet shower.

I hope everyone enjoyed this little ramble. If you'd like more, come and join the Canberra Bushwalking Club!

Thanks for your company Ariel, Bernie, Charlie and Robyn, Chris and Cathy, Cristina, Fiona, Jeff and Chris, John, Neralie, Paul, Shari, Stan and Isobel.

Distance: 8.6km  Climb: 100m.  Time: 9.20-10.40am and 11am-1.50pm
Grading: S/E; E(6)

KMZ file for Google Earth/Maps: Parkway Ramble - Glenburn-Burbong Historic Sites from the Kings Highway