3 January 2011 Orroral Heritage Trail

Map: Corin Dam 1:25000

Getting There

This walk was organised and led by Mike B as an NPA walk:

Monday 3 January - Orroral Ridge - NPA 1B. From the old Honeysuckle Ck Collimation Tower we will wander along the ridge to the north-west exploring the rock outcrops. I haven’t been here before so, if you have, come along and show me the way. Expect to be back in Canberra by early afternoon. Meet at 8:00am at Bunnings Tuggeranong carpark, NE corner (corner of Anketell St and Sheerin St) opposite Supacheap Auto. Drive 80km, $32 per car.

12 of us assembled and drove to the Orroral Tracking Station car park (KHA 281), after leaving a car at the Orroral camping ground.

Further Information

Due to possible road closures this walk may have to be changed to the Orroral Heritage Walk in the Orroral Valley. It was.

Photographs

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Walk

Track overview	Track a	Track b

I began the day with a ride (kmz file) from Duffy to Richardson, as I wanted to leave our car for visiting US family.

Out at Orroral (KHA 281), we began up the valley to the NW, visiting several of the new and old, well signed, sites to do with the Orroral Valley Tracking Station (KHA 224). The weather was quite spectacular, with clouds swirling around the ridges above the valley and, later, the sun coming out on us down below. We continued up the side of the Orroral River swamp (vivid green), across the new concrete bridge over the Orroral River to the huge boulder NE of the bridge. The apple tree at the entrance to the slot in the boulder was in fruit, but it also sported a tape bow, which might mean that it's earmarked for removal. We explored inside and around. This is a special site, W-G OR10.

We returned to the tracking station via a higher, drier route, passing the weather station (KHA 223). Urgently hopping kangas signalled a wild dog.

Picking up the Orroral Heritage Trail and its signage, we wandered S past the Orroral Tracking Station sewerage ponds (KHA 211) sporting water and ducks. The Orroral River swamp to the E was vivid green.

Next came the Orroral Homestead complex. Great signage, several site components. Baby swallows peeked from a nest high on the Homestead verandah. A great spot for morning tea.

The Heritage Trail took us further to the SE, past signage (new and old) explaining the original settlement area and over the Orroral River footbridge. Debris in the bushes showed how high recent waters had flowed.

The trail then enters a dryer area above the river and on the flanks of a ridge. It's recovering amazingly well since the 2003 fires. We took a sign-posted loop down along the river that I'd never walked before. Great new interpretive signage. We eventually arrived at the cars at the Orroral camping ground (KHA 229).

Here we lunched whilst our drivers retrieved vehicles. Very civilised.

Great to meet up with old friends and new walkers. A great little ramble, thanks Mike and other party members.

Distance: 10.6km Climb: 150m. Time: 9am - 12.25pm (3hrs 25mins), with 20mins of stops.
Grading: M/E; E(5)

KMZ file for Google Earth/Maps: Orroral Heritage Trail

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This page last updated 25Aug22