Bendora Arboretum Track

Starting from Mount Franklin Road, Brindabella, this walk takes you to the Bendora Arboretum and back via Chalet Road(a management road), visiting the historic Bendora Hut as well. Notice the change of smell as you walk through different tree sections in the arboretum as you enjoy the natural views and ambiance. 52 different tree species were planted in groups of 81 when the arboretum was first established in 1940. You can get into the details whilst exploring the arboretum as there are plenty of informative signposts at each section. Don’t miss out on the views over the valley while you’re focused on reading the said signposts. The historic Brenda Hut is there to welcome you to the arboretum, with some benches and a fireplace inside. Some people say that it was built in the early 1940s to serve as a shelter for the Forestry and Timber Bureau workers at the time. Others claim it was built in 1930 by Ted Kennedy for laborers building the road. The arboretum provides an entirely different experience in each season, from deciduous trees shedding their leaves to a silent white blanket over the land. Try to photograph each season to make them into a collage that you can proudly represent on your wall. Keep in mind there is no signal reception in the area, so make sure you inform others prior to the journey. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Downloads GPX PDF

Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	At the intersection of Mount Franklin Road & Chalet Road (-35.4146966,148.7882481)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Tuggeranong Parkway Turn on to Cotter Road Offramp then drive for 410 m Keep left and drive for another 2.1 km Turn left onto Cotter Road and drive for another 750 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Cotter Road and drive for another 8.7 km Turn left and drive for another 235 m Turn sharp left onto Cotter Road and drive for another 980 m Turn right onto Brindabella Road and drive for another 7.2 km Turn left onto Brindabella Road and drive for another 17.9 km Turn left onto Mount Franklin Road and drive for another 8.2 km Turn left onto Chalet Road and drive for another 1 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From(6.25km south of intersection with Brindabella Road), head towards the reddish metal gate along the gravel/dirt road as you pass by the blue “Bendora Arboretum” signpost to your right. Pass through the gap next to the said gate and head along the management road(Chalet Road). About 30 metres from the gate, keep right as the road splits into two, and follow the dirt path gently uphill to continue along Bendora Arboretum Track.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Mount Franklin Road & Chalet Road Start heading along Chalet Road (a vehicle track). After 85 m head through/around the gate.
	After another 30 m (at the intersection of Chalet Road & Moonlight Hollow Road) veer right, to head along Chalet Road.
	After another 1.3 km (at the intersection of Chalet Road & Bendora Break) continue straight, to head along Bendora Break. After another 210 m come to the "Bendora Hut" (25 m on your right).
	Continue another 110 m to find the end. Then turn around here and retrace the main route for 1.8 km to get back to the start.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Bendora Arboretum Track

Grading

	Class 2/6 Easy track
Length	3.5 km
Time	1 h 15 min to 1 h 45 min

Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient	Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)

Some facilities on route

Tourism|alpine_hut: There is one 1.7 km from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Tourism\|alpine_hut	1.7 km	Bendora Hut

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Mount Ginini Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
  
  Sunday 18 May
  
  3°C
  Cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower, most likely later this evening. Winds southerly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light in the evening.
  
  Alert: Surf conditions for the rest of the day may be more powerful than they appear and are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing and swimming.
  
  Monday 19 May
  
  -2°C → 5°C
  Partly cloudy.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers in the east, and developing in the west from mid morning, most likely in the late afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm in the late afternoon and evening in the east. Winds south to southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: No Rating
  
  Alert: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 10:50am to 12:40pm, UV Index predicted to reach 3 [Moderate]
  
  Tuesday 20 May
  
  -1°C → 6°C
  Partly cloudy.
  30% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Cloudy. Very high chance of rain. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds southerly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Alert: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
  
  Wednesday 21 May
  
  1°C → 7°C
  Showers or snow at times.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 5mm
  
  Cloudy. Very high chance of rain. Winds south to southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h decreasing to 15 to 20 km/h during the evening.
  
  Alert: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
  
  Thursday 22 May
  
  1°C → 6°C
  Shower or two.
  70% chance of rain
  0 → 15mm
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers. Winds southerly 15 to 25 km/h turning southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the evening.
  
  Friday 23 May
  
  4°C → 8°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 7mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers. Winds southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h.
  
  Saturday 24 May
  
  5°C → 9°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers. Winds southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h.
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely during the morning. Light winds.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- ACT Parks alerts
  When planning and before starting your trip please check ACT Parks Website for anything that may impact on your plans. It is also worth checking the Parks Facebook page for more timely information.
- Bimberi Nature Reserve alerts
  Other planned events: Notification of Ongoing 1080 Program
  NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will be conducting an ongoing baiting program from 3rd March 2025 until 2nd September 2025.
  The operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of wild dogs.
  The program will take place in:
  
  Brindabella National Park
  
  Bimberi Nature Reserve
  
  Wee Jasper Nature Reserve
  
  Oak Creek Nature Reserve
  
  Signs will be placed at the entry to the baiting location. Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW National Parks managed lands. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
  For further information please call NPWS Queanbeyan area office on 02 6229 7166.
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

Weather Forecast

Alerts