This walk was organised and led by me as a private Tuesday walk:
Tuesday 17 February S Canberra Nature Parks L/E,ptX. A wander around some south Canberra Nature Parks - Farrer Ridge NR, Isaacs Ridge NR, Wanniassa Hills NR. Maps: Tuggeranong and Canberra 1:25000. Leader: John E.
2 of us met at the ACT Parks and Conservation depot near the corner of Athlon and Sulwood Drives.
Unfortunately the weather was not going to be kind for Brian S's Bargo Gorge, so we'll do it another time. This was a mickey mouse replacement.
The map for the Farrer Ridge Nature Reserve is here. The map for the Wanniassa Hills Nature Reserve is here. The map for the Isaacs Ridge Nature Reserve is here. The map for the Mt Mugga Mugga Nature Reserve is here.
Didn't need to pull a map out once, as this area is well known to Henry. We wandered E then NE up the management track, Henry cutting the corner off at the reservoir. SE to the beginning of the Farrer Hill Trail with its excellent signage. Work continues to be done in this area, with parts of the track up to Farrer Hill (see pic 1) beautifully benched and stepped. Nice views from the top to the western horizon of the Brindabella and Tidbinbilla Ranges (see here) and NE to the Isaacs Ridge. Down ESE to cross Erindale Drive.
It was a short, steeper climb up to Mt Wanniassa (see pic 2). Great views to the W again, over Fadden and the suburbs of the Tuggeranong Valley. A vista from Mt Rob Roy in the S through Mt Tennent, Booroomba Rocks, Blue Gum Hill, parts of the Brindabellas, the Bullen Range and the Tidbinbilla Ridge. My guide told me that the hill in the Wanniassa Hills NR to the SW is known as 'Eagles Nest' hill - because they do there. From the trig we continued NE along the ridge and down to cross Long Gully Road.
Crossing the old 1970s entrance road to the tip, we headed up the S edge of the Isaacs Pine Forest. Came upon a flock of at least 12 Black cockatoos feasting on soft pine cones (see here). Up to the ridge with its hardware, a 2km wander along it (see pic 3) to skip the fence to trig point YA90 and morning tea. Great views all round. We continued along the ridge-top for a bit longer, then curved to the NE towards the Mugga Mugga quarry. Not sure whether we were in NR or on leased land. Crossed the track which stretched from O'Malley to the Riding School.
The quarry was now between us and the Mt Mugga Mugga NR. A fence was between us and the quarry. Nothing was going to stop us. Looked in from the S of the disused quarry (see here) - it's a big hole. Skirted round the E side and up to the top. Great views over Woden, with an interesting bit of kit at the top of the Mt Mugga Mugga Quarry (see here). Exiting the area to the W, we did walk in the NR (see pic 4). SW then, across the area marked in the CNP map as 'Proposed Nature Reserve'.
From the NE corner of Isaacs we followed tracks at the back of houses down the E side of Isaacs. Mainly the track on the spoon drain protecting the suburb. At the S end our track joined a bike path and we went under Yamba Drive. W across the S side of Farrer and rejoined our outward leg at the start of the Farrer Hill Trail. Henry headed into the wilds of suburban Farrer and I retraced my steps to the car.
Thanks Henry for your company and showing me around. More options here for Parkway rambles.
Distance: 15.8km Climb: 500m. Time: 9.00am - 1.00pm (4hrs), with 10mins of stops.
Grading: L/E,X: M(8)
KMZ file for Google Earth/Maps: Farrer Ridge NR, Wanniassa Hills NR, Isaacs Ridge NR, Mt Mugga Mugga NR
