We were seen off the TNR depot

Map: Tidbinbilla 1:25000

Walk Description

This walk was organised and led by Mike M as a CBC Wednesday walk:

Wednesday 10 July: Listening to lyrebirds on Tidbinbilla slopes - M/M. Wednesday Walk For fit and experienced walkers. This walk will be essentially the same as that led by Mike M on Sunday 7 July. Meeting place: Kambah Shops at 8.30 am. Leader: Mike M (for CBC).

Sunday 7 July: Listening to lyrebirds on Tidbinbilla slopes – M/M. Mid-winter is the prime time for this amazing bird’s courtship dance and song and the eastern slopes of Tidbinbilla Range is the prime place to experience their performances. From the car park on Mountain Creek we will walk on the track going north and climbing steadily to the ridge of Tidbinbilla Range. After 4 km. and a climb of about 200 m. we will turn south and contour back, crossing 3 gullies to a ridge above Cascade Trail. It’s then along this trail back to the cars. The distance is short, about 7 km but the southern traverse will be steep and scrubby. It can be taken slowly, with stops to listen to the lyrebird performances. Map: Tidbinbilla. Leader: Mike M. Transport: ~ 90 km return.

12 of us drove in 3 cars from Canberra to the Mountain Creek car park up the back of Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.

Photographs

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Track Map

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Track

Google Earth

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Track Notes

A few showers on the way out and at the start of the walk. A bit of a gloomy day on the flanks of the range.

A pleasant enough ramble up the Camel Back fire trail, listening to the lyrebirds. Returned via Spur 1 FT and across the back of the Rangers depot. We weren't supposed to be there but instead of trampling through the bush, decided to continue. A Ranger escorted us out the front drive, along with a local emu. Wandered back up Mountain Creek Rd to the cars.

A coffee at the visitors centre afterwards.

Summary

Distance: 15.3km Climb: 550m. Time: 9.20am - 2.55pm (5hrs 35 mins), with 50mins of breaks.

Grading: L/E; M(8)

Walk Participants

12 walkers - Julie Anne C, Mich C, John D, Bob D, Leigh H, Mike M (leader), Eric and Pat P, Leon P, Mike and Annette S, me.