Distance: new trail ON FORMED ROADS ONLY
This is an extremely ecologically sensitive area, and Pedal Power has obtained authorised trails maps of these areas from the ACT Authorities for the website.
PLEASE STAY ON THE TRACKS, give way to walkers and horse riders, and DO NOT ride them intentionally when wet.
Time: unknown, will be updated when known
Grade: Hard
Surface Type: 100% rough formed paths, 10% gravel tracks and roads
Map reference: Canberra
Cycleways Map (2.5km north east of Gundaroo Dr/Mirrabei Dr roundabout)
MAPS: for Mulligans Flat and Goorooyarroo Areas
Features: Both rides travel along rough FORMED roads, through scattered
bushland and open grassland. Views across the ACT and into NSW. Some very steep,
rough climbs and descents along the ACT/NSW border. Lots of wildlife - kangaroos,
foxes, Wedge Tail eagles, Cockatoos, Rosellas etc. This ride is best done in
dry weather to avoid damage to tracks.
Route Description:
Mulligans Flat Nature Park is the most recent addition to Canberra's 24 Nature Parks, and is the most distant from the City centre. It is located off the Canberra to Gundaroo gravel road in the north of Gungahlin town, about 15km from City. Access by bike is possible via the bike path network as far as the roundabout at Gungahlin Drive/Gundaroo Drive. Then follow the wide, straight Gundaroo Drive north for 700 metres to the roundabout with Mirrabei Drive and the start of the gravel road to Gundaroo. 2.5km north along the gravel road leads to a large wooden sign next to the small, well shaded car park at the entrance to Mulligans Flat Nature Park.
The maps , when printed also show walking trails and it may be worth locking up and exploring this rich area more slowly on foot (Don't forget your water). Our previous notes for Mulligans may be of use
"Through the gate a well maintained gravel double track heads steeply uphill, past a faint track leading off to the left until a fork is reached at a power line (0.6km). Take the right fork, then immediately bear right again onto an unformed double track which follows the fence line marking the edge of the Park.
The fence line swings right and skirts a well treed ridge on the left. At about 1.8km a whitish quartz outcrop on the ridge can be seen in the trees. It is worthwhile leaving the bike and taking five minutes to walk up to the ridge and the quartz outcrop. Not only is this an interesting geological feature, being an outstanding example of a quartz intrusion along a geological fault line, but it has been an important site for local aboriginal peoples to quarry the quartz for making stone tools. From the quiet ridge top the offices of Canberra City can be glimpsed through the trees about 10 km and 10,000 years away.
Back to the track to follow the fence line around the ridge to a faint track which leads uphill off to the left (3.2km). Taking this track gives a good view of a large dam, built in the '60s to water stock which grazed this country. Flocks of Cockatoos waiting to drink in the melancholy dead trees in the dam rise in noisy clouds as you approach, and wheel off through the trees. Past the dam the track meets a cross track (4.3km). Ride straight ahead to rejoin the fence line again for another kilometre until the fence swings sharply east.
Turn right and follow the fence line along the route of the 19th century coach road from Murrumbateman to Bungendore, marked by a distinct line of old trees. This dirt track soon meets a gravel track (5.9km) on the left. Go left to join the gravel track then immediately right and left onto another faint unformed track which heads north along the alignment of the main natural gas pipeline which supplies Canberra with gas from the central Australia gas fields.
Leave the pipeline at the fence marking the ACT/NSW border and a small group of mature eucalypts. Close inspection of one large stringbarks reveals a deep axe mark with the letters 'V' and '2' vertically aligned, and located above the numbers '66.18..'. The remainder of the message is lost beneath the bark regrowth.
Head left along the fence line which now follows the ACT/NSW border along ever steepening ridges and gullies, with fine views both into the ACT and north into NSW. A power line and house is reached at 9.8km, followed by a faint track off to the left (10.2km), which can be taken to return the 2km back to the car park (12.2km and one hour).
Those who want a reward of spectacular views can continue across the Gundaroo Road (10.4km), and back through a gate into the western portion of the Nature Park. This is hilly country with extensive stands of the increasingly rare native Kangaroo grass. The rough track follows the undulating fence line up a very steep rise to a summit just south of a communications tower, clearly visible from Canberra City (12.5km). After catching breath the track continues in an anticlockwise swing around the edge of the next hill before plunging steeply down and back to the Gundaroo Road (14.7km).
A pleasant 2km downhill ride along the road leads back to the car park. The nearest refreshments are about 5km away at the Palmerston local shops, or Gungahlin Town centre, where a bakery, pizza shop and supermarket will help replace all those lost calories.
Pedal Power is keen to gather opinions on the Authorised Trails marked on the maps, so please contact us at the link below.
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