Grade: M-XX
Distance: 80 km.
Road Conditions: Sealed and unsealed roads. Mostly with light traffic. Some steep
hills and a ford through the Murrumbidgee River.
Route: A loop ride which takes you from Queanbeyan along the Cooma Rd past the Googong Dam, then through Burra, over the Tinderry Range to Angle
Crossing, returning via Tharwa, the Monaro Highway and the
Tharwa Rd. Some steep hills.
Maps: Natmap 1: 100 000 Topographic Map of the Australian Capital Territory; Canberra 8727; Michelago 8726. Sketch map of area. For routes within the ACT see the Canberra Cycleways Map.
Starting Point:Queanbeyan Olympic Pool. Add 20km each way if riding from central Canberra. A bicycle path runs from Lake Burley Griffin to Queanbeyan via Canberra Avenue.
Description:
From the Olympic Pool ride down Crawford St, turning right into Monaro St and then left into Lowe St, following the sign to the Googong Dam. Continue along Cooma Rd for about ten kilometres past the turnoff to Googong Dam , and turn left on the road to the village of Burra. Just before Burra, London Bridge (a geological feature near Googong Dam) is signposted off to the left. After passing through Burra follow the Williamsdale Rd to the Monaro Highway, turn left and within a few hundred metres turn right onto an unsealed road which heads down towards Angle Crossing on the Murrumbidgee River.
The road up from Angle Crossing brings you out on the sealed Naas Rd near Tharwa. The Namadgi National Park visitors centre can be visited by turning left onto the Naas Road and riding about one kilometre. Returning to Tharwa Village you will pass the Cuppacunbalong Gallery and coffee shop, well worth a visit. At Tharwa Village recross the Murrumbidgee River, this time on the historic wooden Tharwa bridge, then ride along the Tharwa Road past the turnoff to Lanyon Homestead and into the suburbs of southern Tuggeranong. From here a bicycle path leads to Tharwa Drive and the Monaro Highway. The Monaro Highway has a smooth shoulder between Tharwa Drive and the Isabella Drive roundabout. Turn right as soon as possible into the Hume industrial suburb, then right back onto Tharwa Road past the Jerrabomberra Estate and back into Queanbeyan.
The historic village of Burra is situated at the foot of the Tinderry Range about 25 kilometres south of Queanbeyan and includes some very beautiful buildings in old colonial style. Attractions in the area include the Googong Dam on the Queanbeyan River, and the London Bridge limestone formation on Burra Creek. You can make it a very pleasant day ride covering a wide variety of scenery, or a weekend ride, staying overnight at the Angle Crossing camping area.
London Bridge is a limestone formation over the Burra Creek, and was described by the explorer Curtie in 1825 as 'a natural bridge of one perfect Saxon arch' and you will find it well worth a visit. The turnoff from the main Burra Rd is just north of the Burra Store.
Williamsdale on the Monaro Highway boasts a service station which also serves food for hungry riders.
Take care on the Monaro Highway as it may be very busy during the ski season. Watch out also for an unsignposted cattle grid on the downhill run into the Burra Valley.
Angle Crossing is a ford across the Murrumbidgee River and as the surface underwater may be very rough, you may prefer to walk. The crossing is just downstream of the ACT border, at a point where the river undergoes a 270° hiccup in the steady northern progress. You are permitted to camp in the area along the Angle Crossing Rd.
More information about the Murrumbidgee River in the ACT
