23 June 2012 Canberra Centenary Trail: Section 1 - Parliament House to the Federal Highway
|
| View from Mt Ainslie lookout |
Maps: Canberra and Hall 1:25000
Getting There
This walk was organised and led by me as a CBC walk:
Saturday 23 June - Canberra Centenary Trail: Section 1 - Parliament House to the Federal Highway - L/E,ptX. CBC is involved with a number of other local walking organisations in promoting the Canberra Centenary Trail, which will be officially opened next year. Come and get a sneak peek, urban and urban fringe walking from Parliament House via a bit of Central Basin, Anzac Parade, Mt Ainslie, Mt Majura to the Federal Highway. Help spot not flora and fauna, but loos, car parks and features of interest to the general public. Around 20km and a couple of hills to climb (500m). Maps: Canberra and Hall. Leader: John Evans - jevans@pcug.org.au, 0417 436 877. Transport: ~$5 per person, car shuttle involved.
5 of us met at Parliament House.
Further Information
Background information on the Trail is on the TAMS web site here.
Some planning and analysis information of mine is here.
Photographs
You can access all photographs here.
Walk
| Track maps: thumbnails are active - click for a larger picture | ||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Track overview | Track 1 | Track 2 | Track 3 | Track 4 |
It was a day that made you realise how fortunate we are to be up early and alive and kicking in our beautiful city. Clear skies and sunshine when I left (upper) Weston Creek, foggy in (lower) Tuggeranong as I picked up some walkers. Driving in Adelaide Avenue, we could see the hot air still venting from Parliament House, even though the politicians had gone home for the weekend.
We parked under Parliament House and sampled the 24/7 public toilets, then took the stairs to the forecourt. Wandered about, wondering what the CCTV monitors thought we were doing. But the bicycle-mounted police didn't question us. Blue sky above, but not NE towards Mt Ainslie. At the Foundation Stone, we picked up the rest of the party.
Following the route in the current Canberra Centenary Trail documentation (and it looks like this Section 1 is fairly well settled), we walked down the East side of Federation Mall, East side of Old Parliament House, East side of National Rose Garden and aboriginal tent embassy (both looking a bit drab), across King Edward Terrace and around the right (SE) corner of the National Portrait Gallery. A lovely little water feature. The cafe opens at 9am. Across the back of the Gallery and past some great sculptures, then down through Reconciliation Place to the edge of the lake.
The sun was shining again and there were a number of people about already - walking, running, walking the dog, cycling. Public toilets at the back of one of the near lake structures. Across the back of the High Court and into the National Gallery Sculpture Garden, to check out more toilets (these ones open at 9am). I had to explain to some good natured passers by why I was photographing toilets.
Back out to the edge of the lake, across Bowen Drive (an underpass to be built here), across Kings Avenue bridge to the tune of bells and to the area near the Carillon. Public toilets in Kings Park. Also a coffee cart, where an unnamed presidential member of the party succumbed to the temptation of a hot chocolate. Along the edge of the lake on the beautiful broad RG Menzies Walk, shared with joggers, walkers and cyclists, to Blundells Cottage.
Left the lake here, walked under Parks Way, NW towards Civic along Constitution Avenue for a little bit, then turned up the iconic Anzac Parade. Many memorials to groups who served and are serving our country. Terrific to walk it and pause a little, rather than drive by in the car. I love the street lighting.
To the Australian War Memorial and, following the route around it to the W (although around the E side is more direct). This side has all the big guns, so perhaps a bloke planned the route. Very effective ship display, with gun turret and bridge structure. Centurion tank reminds me of old Army days.
Across the back of the War Memorial via the Remembrance Nature Park bordering Treloar Crescent, then a left turn towards Mt Ainslie to the bottom of the Mt Ainslie Walking Trail. I'd never been up it before, but you can't miss the start - lots of walkers/runners and plenty of signage.
A little way up there's a 70m turnoff signposted to the Aboriginal Plaque. A simple memorial with 'Remembering the Aboriginal People who served in the Australian Forces'. As a white fella, I think this memorial should be down the front in pride of place. But maybe the indigenous community prefers it where it is, in a familiar natural bush setting.
Up the fully sealed track to the Mt Ainslie Lookout. Plenty of signage telling us about history and plants. Great views over Canberra, particularly down the Parliamentary axis, from the top. Snow on Mt Gingera.
From the top we headed down the road a bit, then off on a fire trail to the North, to an interesting place for morning tea. Then back up to the Centenary Trail route, this time heading ENE down to the 132kV powerline trail.
Then followed an interesting bit of walking, still trying to pedantically follow the advertised route. I either missed or there is an imagined sharp turn following the power line to the SW. As Jen pointed out, this could be confusing, heading away from the next objective of Mt Majura, and may put walkers off. There are better through routes using the existing trails. Anyway, the area will need sign-posting. We did a loop down to the top of Phillip Avenue (at least we met Gerald D out walking his dogs), then got ourselves back on track.
The next off-route was totally my mistake. We turned E up along the Majura Dams track which, after passing the dams, takes quite a loop round the top of the drainage area. There is a shorter route up from MacKenzie St. Finally got up to the Majura ridge and had lunch on the SE facing side of the crest, out of the breeze.
Up the management trail to Mt Majura, where we rang Rob H who had kindly offered to pick us up down on the Federal Highway, thus saving an hour or more of car shuttling.
Back down to our lunch spot, turned N and followed management trails down to the Federal Highway.
Thanks for your company Helen N, Jenny H, Nathan H and Phillip S.
Toilets: Parliament House underground car park (possibly 24/7), public buildings in the Parliamentary Zone (when open), Kings Park, War Memorial (when open). After that, pick a tree, any tree.
Parking/access: Parliament House underground car park (time limited except on Saturday and Sunday, public holidays excepted), most places along the route in the Parliamentary Zone (time limited paid parking except on weekends), various places along the lakeside of Central Basin, Anzac Park (the parallel streets to Anzac Parade), War Memorial, Mt Ainslie, near the route at Phillip Avenue Hackett, near the route in MacKenzie St Hackett, Mt Majura. The Federal Highway at the underpass is not suitable for parking, as this is a high speed road - be very careful of traffic when dropping off/picking up.
Distance: 22.7km Climb: 600m. Time: 8.30am - 2.40pm (6hrs 10mins), with 40mins of stops.
Grading: L/E,ptX; M(10)
KMZ file for Google Earth/Maps: Canberra Centenary Trail Section 1
Back to Walks Index
This page last updated 30Aug22