COVER STORY
CANBERRA CENTENARY TRAIL
Where: 145km loop trail around Canberra
Time: A seven-day walk, averaging about 20km per day. Details: visitcanberra.com.au
This self-guided loop trail showcases Canberra’s urban and rural environments. Following fire trails, walking tracks and shared paths, the trail is open to everyone and is suitable for all abilities, with the majority of it at less than 10 per cent gradient. Sights include Parliament House, the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, Mt Ainslie, Mt Majura, nature reserves, woodland sanctuaries and the Visitors Centre of the National Arboretum Canberra. Book accommodation well in advance. CAMELS HUMP
Where: Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, 40-minutes drive from the CBD
Time: There are six- or eight-hour versions of this walk, both rated as “hard” Details: tidbinbilla.act.gov.au
There’s a variety of walks available in this expansive reserve, some taking as little as 15-minutes. Those looking for a real challenge, however, should go for Camels Hump. Starting at the Visitors Centre, the walk allows you to experience a little bit of everything the reserve has to offer — wetlands, forests, grasslands and sub-alpine habitats, as well as wildlife including koalas, emus, reptiles and more. It’s a hard climb up to one of the highest ridges in the ACT, but the stunning views from the top across the mountain wilderness will make it all worth while.
ACT easy option: The 1km Mt Aggie loop in the Namadgi National Park should take less than 45 minutes but will take you past beautiful Snow Gum woodlands and give views out to Kosciuszko National Park. Walk in spring/ summer and you’ll be surrounded by wildflowers in bloom.