Canberra Centenary Trail: Section 6(Stromlo Forest Park to Greenway)

7 h to 11 h 30 min
3 h to 5 h 30 min

25.1 km
oneway

↑ 495 m
↓ -508 m

Hard track
Starting from the entrance of Stromlo Forest Park, this walk takes you to the suburb of Greenway via the Canberra Centenary Trail. This is the 6th section of the whole 145 kilometre trail. You’ll have many opportunities to view the amazing landscape, swim, have a picnic, and do much more on this adventurous trip through the natural and urban parts of southeastern Canberra. From rewarding peaks such as Cooleman Hill and Mount Arawang to the gorgeous beaches along Murrumbidgee River, this well-known route is quite diverse in terms of highlights. Don’t forget to look for Peregrine falcons from the Red Rocks Gorge Lookout, although they can be hard to see due to their incredible speed. 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.
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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.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-35.3201909,149.0259141)
Mode Car
DirectionsFrom Tuggeranong Parkway
  • Turn on to Cotter Road Offramp then drive for 450 m
  • Keep right onto Cotter Road Offramp and drive for another 70 m
  • Turn right onto Cotter Road and drive for another 2.3 km
  • Continue onto John Gorton Drive and drive for another 1.7 km
  • Keep left and drive for another 60 m
  • Turn left onto Opperman Avenue and drive for another 135 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Opperman Avenue and drive for another 325 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Dave McInnes Road and drive for another 95 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Dave McInnes Road and drive for another 325 m
  • Continue onto Dave McInnes Road and drive for another 360 m
Finish (-35.4180624,149.0696151)
Mode (end) Car Shuttle   Car  
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the car park of Stromlo Forest Park, head south along the concrete path as you pass by The Handle Bar cafe to your right. Join the Stephen Hodge Criterium Cycling Circuit, then turn right at the second creek crossing to continue along Canberra Centenary Trail: Section 6(Stromlo Forest Park to Greenway).....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
There is a picnic table (about 35 m back from the start).
There is a toilet (about 35 m back from the start).
There is water tap (about 30 m back from the start).
Find the The Handle Bar at the start.
Continue straight.
After another 160 m turn right.
After another 25 m continue straight, to head along Dusty Critter.
After another 20 m head through/around the gate.
After another 6 m (at the intersection of Fenceline & Dusty Critter) turn left.
After another 15 m turn left.
After another 165 m turn left.
After another 170 m continue straight.
After another 25 m veer right, to head along Brittle Gums.
After another 120 m cross the bridge (about 3 m long)
After another 30 m turn right.
After another 170 m turn right.
After another 120 m continue straight.
After another 35 m head through the bollard.
Veer right.
After another 10 m turn left.
After another 50 m pass the artwork (45 m on your right).
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to ACT Bushfire Memorial, commissioned to acknowledge the effect of 2003 bushfires. It's there for us to see how much the area recovered, and thank the people who worked hard on putting out the bushfires as well as helping the recovery process. To start this optional side trip turn sharp right here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
Continue straight.
After another 70 m veer left.
After another 55 m continue straight.
After another 10 m head through/around the gate.
After another 6 m turn right, to head along Cotter Road.
After another 25 m turn left.
After another 620 m continue straight.
After another 40 m continue straight.
After another 115 m continue straight.
After another 420 m continue straight.
After another 270 m continue straight.
After another 560 m veer left.
After another 8 m turn right, to head along Eucumbene Drive.
After another 65 m turn left.
After another 4 m turn sharp right.
After another 70 m turn right, to head along Hindmarsh Drive.
After another 30 m veer left.
After another 140 m continue straight.
After another 350 m continue straight.
After another 335 m continue straight.
Then head through/around the gate.
After another 85 m continue straight, to head along Cooleman Ridge BNT.
Keep right.
After another 105 m continue straight, to head along Cooleman Ridge BNT.
After another 135 m continue straight, to head along Cooleman Ridge BNT.
After another 140 m (at the intersection of Cooleman Ridge BNT & Cutoff Drain Fire Trail) turn left, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail.
Then head down the very steep (14% ~ 8°) earthen incline (about 240 m long)
Continue straight.
After another 135 m continue straight, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail.
After another 30 m veer right, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail.
After another 200 m continue straight, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to the summit of Cooleman Hill, for a better view of the landscape. Keep in mind that this trip involves lots of steps. To start this optional side trip turn sharp right here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 315 m continue straight, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail.
After another 210 m continue straight, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail.
After another 165 m (at the intersection of Dam Fire Trail & Cutoff Drain Fire Trail) turn right, to head along Dam Fire Trail.
After another 35 m head through/around the gate.
After another 4 m turn left.
After another 360 m come to the viewpoint (20 m on your right).
After another 185 m continue straight.
Then head up the very steep (16% ~ 9.1°) earthen incline (about 940 m long)
Continue straight.
After another 780 m veer left, to head along Guinness Fire Trail.
After another 100 m (at the intersection of Arawang Saddle Fire Trail & Guinness Fire Trail) turn right, to head along Arawang Saddle Fire Trail.
After another 15 m continue straight, to head along Arawang Saddle Fire Trail.
After another 210 m (at the intersection of Arawang Saddle Fire Trail & Steep Fire Trail) continue straight.
After another 140 m continue straight, to head along Arawang Saddle Fire Trail.
Keep left.
After another 90 m continue straight, to head along Arawang Saddle Fire Trail.
After another 35 m head through/around the gate.
The starting point of an alternate route. A shorter but more challenging alternete route climbing up to the summit of Mount Arawang , then descending from the other side. To take the alternate route continue straight here. Details below.
After another 8 m turn right.
After another 290 m continue straight.
After another 50 m turn left.
After another 530 m continue straight.
After another 940 m head through/around the gate.
After another 4 m turn right.
After another 35 m veer right, to head along Namatjira Drive Access.
After another 150 m head through/around the gate.
Turn right.
After another 380 m continue straight.
After another 600 m continue straight.
After another 165 m turn right.
After another 290 m (Kambah Pool Road after Namatjira Drive Platform) continue straight (a footpath).
After another 115 m cross the bridge (about 2 m long)
Turn right.
After another 60 m continue straight.
After another 100 m continue straight.
After another 190 m continue straight.
After another 345 m pass the "Faithfull Circuit Neighbourhood Playground" (45 m on your left).
After another 285 m continue straight.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip taking you to the summit of McQuoids Hill, providing you a better view over the land. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip error >360 when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 210 m continue straight.
After another 1.2 km continue straight.
After another 230 m continue straight.
After another 245 m continue straight.
After another 1.8 km turn left.
After another 45 m (at the intersection of Kambah Pool Road & Kambah to Cotter Walking Track) continue straight, to head along Kambah Pool Road.
After another 155 m continue straight.
After another 9 m pass the car park (9 m on your right).
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip taking you down to the Kambah Pool southern beach. Cool off and refuel for the rest of the journey. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
Turn left, to head along Murrumbidgee Discovery Trail.
After another 740 m cross the ford.
After another 750 m turn right.
After another 75 m cross the ford.
After another 190 m continue straight.
After another 135 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(fastest bird in the world). To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 30 m continue straight, to head along Murrumbidgee Discovery Trail.
After another 1.2 km cross the ford.
After another 420 m cross the ford.
After another 540 m cross the ford.
After another 810 m continue straight, to head along Murrumbidgee Discovery Trail.
After another 145 m turn right.
After another 35 m cross the ford.
After another 45 m veer left.
After another 140 m continue straight, to head along Urambi Gully Fire Trail.
After another 35 m cross the ford.
After another 35 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.
Then head through/around the gate.
After another 135 m veer left.
After another 95 m continue straight.
After another 150 m climb over the stile.
After another 5 m turn right.
After another 195 m continue straight.
After another 65 m turn sharp left.
After another 40 m cross the ford.
After another 1 m continue straight.
After another 80 m turn left.
After another 295 m continue straight.
After another 110 m cross the ford.
After another 240 m turn sharp right.
After another 390 m veer left.
After another 30 m veer right.
After another 145 m continue straight.
After another 190 m pass the "Brew Bar" (70 m on your left).
After another 85 m pass the "Indian Grill" (85 m on your left).
W:www.indiangrill.com.au T:+61 2 6293 4008
Mo-Fr 11:30-21:15
Sa-Su 17:30-21:15
Veer left.
After another 10 m turn left.
After another 35 m continue straight.
After another 140 m continue straight.
After another 130 m continue straight.
After another 140 m pass the "Giannis Cafe" (85 m on your left).
Turn right.
After another 30 m turn left.
After another 25 m come to the end.

An optional side trip to ACT Bushfire Memorial, commissioned to acknowledge the effect of 2003 bushfires. It's there for us to see how much the area recovered, and thank the people who worked hard on putting out the bushfires as well as helping the recovery process.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 40 m turn left.
After another 20 m turn right.
After another 15 m pass the artwork (10 m on your right).
After another 15 m continue straight.
After another 10 m come to the end.
A seat.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 95 m to the main route.

An optional side trip to the summit of Cooleman Hill, for a better view of the landscape. Keep in mind that this trip involves lots of steps.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
Then cross the bridge (about 4 m long)
Then head down the earthen steps (about 115 m long)
Continue another 30 m to find Cooleman Hill at the end.
"Cooleman Hill".
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 155 m to the main route.

A shorter but more challenging alternete route climbing up to the summit of Mount Arawang , then descending from the other side.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 360 m turn left.
After another 20 m pass the "Mount Arawang" (6 m on your right).
After another 285 m turn right, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail.
After another 10 m come to the end.
At the end of this alternate route, rejoin the main route.

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(fastest bird in the world).
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.

An optional side trip taking you to the summit of McQuoids Hill, providing you a better view over the land.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 8 m turn left.
After 80 m head through/around the gate.
After another 195 m continue straight.
After another 460 m come to "McQuoids Hill".
The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 750 m to the main route.

An optional side trip taking you down to the Kambah Pool southern beach. Cool off and refuel for the rest of the journey.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 50 m veer left.
After another 15 m pass the sign (on your left).
Then head down the earthen steps (about 165 m long)
Then pass the toilet (on your right).
After another 15 m pass the sign (5 m on your right).
After another 30 m pass a seat (on your left).
After another 75 m come to the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 240 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Canberra Centenary Trail: Section 6(Stromlo Forest Park to Greenway)


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 25.1 km
Time 7 h to 11 h 30 min
Quality of track Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Infrastructure Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)

Some facilities on route
Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 8.5 km apart with the largest gap of 16.8 km.

Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 8.7 km apart with the largest gap of 15.9 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
-33 m[toilet]
Seat
1.2 km + 255 m[seat]
Toilet
16.7 km + 120 m[toilet]
Seat
16.7 km + 165 m[seat]
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