This walk was organised and enjoyed by me as a private, spur of the moment, walk. I spell culture with a k and my wife spells it with a C, so I left her and a girlfriend, equipped with a scooter each, to terrorise their fellow Degas patrons at the NGA whilst I continued my wanderings in the bits of the Canberra Nature Park. Drove via Duntroon and General Bridges Drive up to the Mt Pleasant lookout. For the second walk, to Fyshwick, then N along Dairy Road as far as you can to the Wetlands parking area.

Walk 1 - Mt Pleasant Nature Reserve

The map for the Mt Pleasant Nature Reserve is here.

Had a look around the Mt Pleasant Lookout and the signage. Wandered down to the communications tower and entered the nature reserve through the walkway there. Headed generally NE down the spur to the reservoir, then down across Northcott Drive and up to the other reservoir in the northern part of the nature reserve. West across the S edge of Campbell, then SE to the back of Russell Offices (see pic 1). In a couple of places here there were concrete paths through the NR - that's the way it must have been done in the past, Back E-ish, paralleling Northcott Drive, across and retraced my outward leg. Dry open woodlands, but these areas do hold a certain fascination in that one is surrounded by roads and traffic noise, yet in the middle of a bit of bush. Worth at least a visit. I bet the place is full of Russell Office workers running at lunchtime. Back at the Lookout I again admired the view over Lake Burley Griffin to the Brindabella and Tidbinbilla Ranges. We are indeed fortunate to live in such a beautiful city.

Distance: 2.8km  Climb: 100m.  Time: 11.05-11.45am (40mins).
Grading: S/E; VE(3)

Walk 2 - Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve

The map for the Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve is here. Jerrabomberra Wetlands is Site of Significance in the ACT LBG15.

Dairy Road is blocked at the turnoff into the Wetlands car park. It turns into a bike path and I must return to walk up it and do the large loop which is shown on the 1:25000 map (but not on the NR map, so maybe it's not available anymore). Today on my first visit I took the indicated paths. Kellys Swamp was dry (see pic 3), but in the other direction the bird hides overlooking Jerrabomberra Creek allowed pleasant water views (see pic 2). Insolent carp swam within full view of the bridge. Black swans in Jerrabomberra Pool. The extent of the tracks takes one to close views of the Kingston Foreshore Development. If I were a betting man I'd put two bob on a major upgrade of the Jerrabomberra Wetlands infrastructure once many more people are living within walking distance of it.

Came out to two entry points from Newcastle Street in the Causway (Kingston) - I assume this Newcastle St used to be joined to Newcastle St Fyshwick. A guy fishing down by the silt trap. Returned to the car park and took a turn along the E side of Kellys Swamp.

Again, an area I'd heard about for yonks but never visited until today. Worth a look.

Distance: 3.1km  Climb: 30m.  Time: 12noon - 12.40pm (40mins).
Grading: S/E; VE(3)

KMZ file for Google Earth/Maps: Mt Pleasant Nature Reserve and Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserves