Starting from the car park near Kambah Pool Southern Beach, Kambah, this route takes you to Pine Island Reserve via the Murrumbidgee Discovery Track. With a beach on both ends, this riverside walk can make for a great weekend trip with the family. There are various canoe entry points and cute little swimming spots along with a variety of viewpoints, providing you gorgeous views over the river. Birdwatching can be quite fruitful as you have a chance to see a Peregrine Falcon around Red Rocks Gorge, the fastest bird in the world with a mind-blowing maximum speed of 390km/h. Yellow-faced Honeyeaters are also known to migrate through the area in autumn. Additionally, the reserve is home to some fluffy wombats which can induce a desire to pick them up and rock them like a baby. Please refrain yourself from doing so. Keep in mind that this walk can be done in reverse and is a part of the 28 km Murrumbidgee Discovery Track. There are no trash bins present, so prepare accordingly. 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.
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 started From the southern car park off Kambah Pool Road(2.10km southwest of Mount Vernon Drive), head towards the black informational signpost with a “Canberra Centenary Trail” sign on it next to a bunch of directional signposts, moving directly away from the car park. Join the formed dirt track and head towards the woodland as you pass by the said black signpost to your left. Stay on the designated track as it follows the river to continue along Kambah Pool to Pine Island Track.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start heading along Murrumbidgee Discovery Trail.
There is a toilet (about 85 m back from the start).
After 810 m cross the ford.
After another 740 m turn left, to head along Murrumbidgee Discovery Trail.
After another 95 m cross the ford.
After another 200 m continue straight, to head along Murrumbidgee Discovery Trail.
After another 255 m cross the ford.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional little side trip taking you to Red Rocks Gorge Lookout, for better views over the river and a chance to see a Peregrine falcon. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 115 m turn left, to head along Murrumbidgee Discovery Trail.
After another 1.3 km cross the ford.
After another 390 m cross the ford.
After another 550 m cross the ford.
After another 800 m continue straight, to head along Murrumbidgee Discovery Trail.
After another 145 m turn right.
After another 45 m cross the ford.
After another 30 m veer left.
After another 140 m continue straight, to head along Urambi Gully Fire Trail.
After another 65 m cross the ford.
After another 7 m (at the intersection of Tuggeranong Creek Fire Trail & Urambi Gully Fire Trail) continue straight (a walking track).
After another 140 m continue straight.
After another 115 m cross the bridge (about 25 m long)
Veer right.
After another 65 m veer right.
After another 5 m head through/around the gate.
After another 135 m veer left.
After another 95 m veer right, to head along Murrumbidgee Discovery Trail.
After another 220 m veer right, to head along Murrumbidgee Discovery Trail.
After another 35 m continue straight, to head along Murrumbidgee Discovery Trail.
After another 470 m head through/around the gate.
After another 30 m veer right.
After another 55 m cross the ford.
Turn right, to head along Murrumbidgee Discovery Trail.
After another 450 m cross the ford.
After another 1 km continue straight, to head along Murrumbidgee Discovery Trail.
After another 660 m continue straight, to head along Murrumbidgee Discovery Trail.
After another 350 m pass the car park (10 m on your left).
After another 10 m come to the end.
"Pine Island Road".
About 20 m past the end is a seat., has a backrest.
About 40 m past the end is a BBQ.
An optional little side trip taking you to Red Rocks Gorge Lookout, for better views over the river and a chance to see a Peregrine falcon.
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
Continue another 90 m to find Red Rocks Gorge at the end.
"Red Rocks Gorge".
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 90 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Kambah Pool to Pine Island
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
9.5 km
Time
2 h 45 min to 4 h 30 min
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage
Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)