Hidden treasures in Dunlop Grasslands

Blogging has introduced me to some of Canberra’s very best, and that includes people like bushwalking legend John Evans. John has an extremely popular website where he documents every single walk he takes with plenty of detail and maps. John’s simple goal is to inspire people to resist sedentary life, head outside and enjoy some fresh air, and appreciate our surroundings. I look on in awe at his commitment to providing as much information to make that possible for people.

John and I have been on a few walks together – Mt Coree and Urambi Hills. As well as being knowledgeable, John is a gentleman and has a great sense of humour. When he offered to show me a part of Belconnen with which I wasn’t yet familiar, I jumped at the chance.

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Mt Goodwin, Macgregor

Lately I’ve been feeling I am terribly unfit. I’m stuck in that terrible zone where I know I need to exercise but think I’ll really struggle on mountains I used to – well, struggle on (but just a bit). Cue a lot of neighbourhood walks and walks around beautiful Lake Ginninderra. But my map of all the mountains in Canberra which I’ve been slooowly marking off stares back at me, and I know there’s one I haven’t done yet which seems like it might fit my criteria of a) short b) not high c) close to my house.

Urambi Hills Nature Park

It’s easy to wax lyrical about Johnny Boy’s Walkabout Blog, and the man behind it: John Evans. John’s one of the fittest (and nicest) men I’ve ever met, is out and about conquering mountains most days of the week, and documents it all in detail to encourage others to get outside and breathe in the fresh air. All that, and he’s a huge supporter of this humble blog.

As you might suspect, John’s a tad fitter than this reporter, but (fortunately!) he’s keen to show the bush to just about anyone. Together with prolific Canberra tweeter Alison (chifley_alison) who runs Females (Ambling) Around Regional Canberra Mountains (FARCM – try saying that one out loud!), we agree on a public holiday, a 9am start time and some local Canberra hills – Urambi Hills, in fact.

Meeting Old Joe

I’m after a Canberra hill or mountain I haven’t done before; one that’s close to home, and one that I can knock over quickly. My very good friend (who happens to be a surveyor and knows all the mountains in Canberra) suggests Old Joe, near the border. I’ve never heard of it. On reading about it, it seems like the Mt Ainslie that no one’s ever heard of. I expect a return walk in an hour or so, through a nature reserve – Goorooyarroo (confusing number of Rs and Os) – I’ve never set food in. Win, win!

Fungi in Namadgi National Park

Lovely to look at. But don’t touch it. Don’t pick it. Don’t eat it.

Mt Pilot, Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park

On our first day in the Rutherglen region, we’re at Stanton and Killeen (post on that coming soon!) and it’s a little quiet there. Our very obliging host at the cellar door points out plenty of sights on the map – and lets us in on a secret. There’s a mountain right near Beechworth (where we’re staying), and it’s just a few minutes walk from the car park to the top. My kind of walk! (Okay, not always, but I’m all for a positive reward-for-effort ratio!)

Lindsay Pryor Arboretum

Yeah, we’ve got the National Arboretum… but as lovely as it is, it’s a little lacking on fully grown trees. Literally just across the Parkway is the Lindsay Pryor Arboretum, with a small but fully grown forests of native and exotic trees. Built in the 1950s at the ‘suggestion’ of the then Governor-General Field Marshal William Slim who wanted to improve the view from the GG’s residence, the arboretum was and is used as a place of scientific research and education. Better still, the arboretum is dog friendly, and a great place to explore.

Cascades Trail, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

It’s a hot day when we enter Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve; the Cascades Trail has been described as a walk to escape from the heat. We sure hope so!

Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve

In the spirit of getting amongst Canberra’s bushland in the hours that stretch out after work in January, our next pick is Aranda Bushland. Nestled between Mt Painter and Black Mountain, I drive past it regularly but have never taken the time to get amongst it. As usual, I’m pleasantly surprised.

Red Hill Nature Reserve

I love Canberra in January. Maybe I’m making too much of it, but I love the (relatively) quiet roads, and that it feels like the few of us around have the city to ourselves. Most of all, I love the days that seem to stretch out – getting home from work and still having hours of daylight left. It’s the perfect opportunity to get out and explore some more walks which are right on our doorstep. (Here’s one we did this time last year.)