Sunday 14 April 2013: Mt Stromlo Milestones - Ten Years On

A 3 hour afternoon bush walk on Mt Stromlo as part of the Canberra and Region Heritage Festival to see the recovery milestones in the buildings and bush, ten years after the 2003 firestorms.


view to the Brindabella range from the flanks of Mt Stromlo

Bookings:

Essential - limit 20. Book via email or phone 0417 436 877. Details of the start time (early afternoon) and place will be given at time of booking.

This walk is sponsored by the Canberra Bushwalking Club. Participants will be required to sign an Acknowledgment of Risks and Obligations form, which may be previewed here.

What we'll do and see:

This walk on fire trails requires a moderate level of fitness.

Walk around 7km distance and climb around 125 vertical metres, taking around 3 hours, to view the recovery in the buildings and the bush at Mt Stromlo. Pass many of the Mt Stromlo Observatory buildings (new, refurbished and burnt out shells - all with extensive explanatory signage). There are grand views to Canberra and the new Molonglo suburbs, and superb views to the west to the Brindabella and Tidbinbilla Ranges. Visit the Duffields' grave. See the new Cotter Dam in the distance and the Murrumbidgee River. View the top of the steep Stromlo Forest Park bike riding facilities and look left, right and left before we cross the mountain bike tracks! The western flank of Mt Stromlo is clothed mainly in recovering Drooping She-oak (Allocasuarina verticicillata).

A further appreciation of the extent of the walk can be gained here.

What to bring:

Wear closed-toed shoes, a hat and sunscreen. Other clothing as appropriate for the forecast weather. Bring water (at least 500ml) and perhaps a snack in a light back pack.
 

14 April 2013 Mt Stromlo Milestones

       


At the Duffields' grave

Maps: Canberra and Cotter Dam 1:25000

Walk Description

This walk was organised and led by me as a CBC walk.

24 of us sorted ourselves out in the car park near the Scope cafe on Mt Stromlo.

Track Map

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


Track

Track Notes

We met in the car park. There were 10 CBC walkers and 14 members of the public. A circle of introductions and we were off at 2.10pm.

A leisurely stroll up to Mt Stromlo trig and a gander over the developing Molonglo suburbs and across to central Canberra. Across to the V gate of the fire trail and down then up and left to the Duffields' graves. A story shared of Duffield carrying his double bass to Canberra Symphony Orchestra events.

A slip and a slide down the gravel fire trail to the complex intersection, then left down the westerly spur. Unfortunately there were a couple of falls. Generally S-ish across the western flank of Mt Stromlo through the She-oaks.

A gander over the gate to the Space Weather Monitoring site, then safely on to sealed road.

Up through the boom gates, carefully along the side of Mt Stromlo Rd for a while, then a detour up an old fire trail past the back of Faulkner Court and the Advanced Instrumentation Technology Centre. So to the front of the beautifully restored art deco admin building, originally the Commonwealth Solar Observatory.

Up through a car park and to the shell of the Director's Residence. That was it.

Trust you enjoyed it folks! Many thanks to Edwina Y for 'tail end Charlie', and to her and Ailsa B and Ross A for attending to grazed knees.

Summary

Distance: 5.9km Climb: 150m. Time: 2.10 - 4.10pm (2 hours).

Grading: S/E; E(5)

Walk Participants

24 walkers. 10 CBC members - Ross, A, Ailsa B, Jenni C, Gavin F, Erica M, Jenny N, Nerolie P, Paul S, Edwina Y, me. 14 members of the public.


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This page last updated 2Sep22