Grade: S-XX
Distance: 30km
Road Conditions: Fairly quiet, mostly rural roads, but can be busy at weekends. Steep hill down to Casuarina Sands and the Cotter Reserve.
Route: From Weston Park follow the Cotter Rd to Casuarina Sands and Cotter Reserve and return.
Map: Canberra Cycleways Map and 1:100 000 Topographic Map of the Australian Capital Territory.
Starting Point:Weston Park.
Description:
Begins as for the “Uriarra Crossing Ride” but instead of turning right into Uriarra Road, continue along the Cotter Rd down to the Murrumbidgee River. Along the way you will see the pipeline on your right, which carries part of Canberra's water supply from Cotter, Bendora and Corin Dams..
Casuarina Sands, just downstream from the junction of the Cotter and Murrumbidgee Rivers, is one of the most popular swimming spots in Canberra. For several hundred metres the river is over forty metres wide, with sandy shores and shady casuarinas. A kiosk provides food and drink during the summer. The bridge deck over the Murrumbidgee was reconstructed in 2001 and is now safe for cyclists, however the shorter bridge at the Cotter Reserve has wide gaps between planks so care is advisable.
The Cotter Reserve, a couple of kilometres further on, has a camping ground and a hotel. The Cotter Dam is nearby, and is worth visiting.
Points along the Cotter Road afford excellent views across the Murrumbidgee Valley towards the Brindabella Mountains.
Allow plenty of time for the return trip as there is a steep climb coming back up from the river.
More information about the Murrumbidgee River in the ACT