24 January 2012 Border Markers in Majura Range W of Sutton Road and Border markers on the rail line S of Queanbeyan + Environa + maybe Wanniassa Hills

Maps: Bungendore and Canberra 1:25000

Getting There

This walk was organised and led by me as a CBC Tuesday walk:

Tuesday 24 January - Border markers on the rail line S of Queanbeyan - S/E,X. A S/E,Xy, wimpy walk to finish off border markers on the Goulburn-Bombala railway line between other walks. Around 9km and 50m climb. Perhaps something more to make a short day of it. Map: Canberra. Leader: John Evans - jevans@pcug.org.au, 0417 436 877. Transport: ~$5 per person.

this was the original description advertised via the CBC short notice walks system. Since then I've stitched up:

Tuesday 24 January - Border markers in Majura Range W of Sutton Road - S/E,X. Another S/E,Xy, wimpy walk to finish off border markers between the Majura Range and the NSW controlled portion of the Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve. Around 3km and 20m climb. Map: Bungendore. Leader: John Evans - jevans@pcug.org.au, 0417 436 877. Transport: ~$5 per person. Further details at http://johnevans.id.au.

Late breaking news: Finally got in touch with the owner of Environa and got the nod for us to come onto his land to scout around! Woot woot!

4 of us did Walk 1, 3 of us did Walks 2 and 3, 2 of us did Walk 4.

Further Information

Walk 1 - Majura Range W of Sutton Road - don't sneeze at this - this is a restricted area and it takes a bit of organising to get into it! An official authority is required. A couple of us have been keen to finish off from 10 May 11. Ring Range Control when we are out.

Walk 2 - Environa. Again, this is private property and permission should be sought to enter from the owner.

Walk 3 - Start from Woods Lane off Lanyon Drive. Cover the area between 17 Jan 12 and 21 Jul 11.

Walk 4 - maybe Wanniassa Hills if time.

Here's a little article on the history of Environa, published with kind permission from the author, taken from National Library of Australia News October 2005 (NLA said copyright is held by the author):

Photographs

Access photographs here.

Walk

Track map: thumbnail is active - click for a larger picture

Track overview

Walk 1 - Border Markers in Majura Range W of Sutton Road

Track map: thumbnail is active - click for a larger picture

Track Walk 1

We met at the corner of Sutton Rd and Pialligo Rd, then drove to the start point. Parked across the E side of Sutton Rd. We crossed the road and, with permission from the Army, crossed the fence (but "at our own risk").

A fairly unproductive area, returning F1 (a mangy lockspit), a possible D1 (new survey peg) and a possible C1 (a remnant old post, but no descriptions in the field note book for this area to cross check with). No H1, G1, F1, 22 Mile, B1 or A1. Because I'm anal, we had to walk on to Z, where we ended last time.

But Mike found a nice usable army hat and Garry an occy strap. On returning to the cars, we rang the Range Control Officer to tell him we were off the Range.

Walk 2 - Environa

Track map: thumbnail is active - click for a larger picture

Track Walk 2

Garry left us to go and help a mate and the 3 of us drove to Environa.

Again, with permission from the owner, we entered the property and wandered along the track until we came to the main arch. (Absolutely fabulous to see it close up. No doubt all the structures have technical names, but to me they're arches and columns.) From here we could see down Parliament Boulevard to two sets of pillars, on through a roundabout feature to the lone tall column which used to carry the bust of Sir Henry Parkes. We visited all these remarkable items.

We next headed SE towards the bandstand. This avenue had less grand features, but all slightly different. The first was a feature including two steel columns, then another unfinished rock pile, then a stone feature with one side collapsed. The path finally led to the grand bandstand.

We returned through convenient gates to the red columns half way up Parliament Boulevard, then back to the main arch. A final look, then back to the cars.

This is a special place and I hope the owner can keep it the way it is.

Walk 3 - Border Markers on the rail line S of Queanbeyan

Track map: thumbnail is active - click for a larger picture

Track Walk 3

With the luxury of two cars, we were able to arrange a car shuttle. We left one on Woods Lane near the signage and 52 Mile marker where we finished on 17 Jan 12 and drove the other via the HMAS Harman turn off into the top of Woods Lane.

Not one marker found, the whole extent of the western side of the railway line easement, along which the border runs, being very disturbed.

We came to the border at T15 and first headed NE towards the Queanbeyan railway station. Went as far as the junction of the Bombala and Canberra lines (no trains on the Bombala line; yes trains on the Canberra line), the point that I'd reached on 21 Jul 11. 11.20am, so time for morning tea. Returned back along the line.

From T15 we then went SW along the border. An interesting single sign pole opposite 'Roseglen' announcing "Border Walk 4.5km return".

Back at the car, we drove N back along Woods Lane to near HMAS Harman. Here Mike left us.

Walk 4 - Mt Wanniassa

Track map: thumbnail is active - click for a larger picture

Track Walk 4

Peter and I drove to the Long Gully Road/Mugga Lane and parked near the water reservoirs near the corner of Erindale Drive.

We strolled up to the Mt Wanniassa trig, had lunch nearby, peered into backyards in the top houses in Fadden as we walked across the back of the suburb, then back to the car.

An eclectic day. Without Environa, it would have been very drab. Thanks for humouring me Mike B, Peter J and Garry M.

Distance: 17.8km Climb: 150m. Time: 7.40am - 2.20pm. 5hrs 20mins of walking, incl 30mins of breaks. Rest driving.
Grading: M/E,X; M(8)

KMZ file for Google Earth/Maps: BMs near Queanbeyan, Environa and Mt Wanniassa

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This page last updated 29Aug22