Summary

A circuit that will suit walkers who are confident with rough, off-track walking and are experienced in navigation. Starts with a rock-hop across the Murrumbidgee below Kambah Pool, then follows an unnamed creek upstream. Returns by a ridgeline. Some open walking in the creek though also some prickly scrub, largely open forest on the ridge.

5 km, allow 4 hours including an hour of breaks
Tree-framed views, razorback, remote feel even though a short drive

*View of Kambah Pool from the foot of the descent ridge*

Route

Start in the Kambah Pool carpark – the most downstream of the Kambah Pool carparks, not the carpark signposted as ‘Kambah Pool Beach’. Follow a footpad about 50 metres to the edge of the river. Rock-hop across the Murrumbidgee, following the line of rocks that fringe the bottom of Kambah Pool. This river crossing can usually be done with dry feet. It is not safe to cross the river if it looks like you might need to wade at any depth more than shin-deep. If you are not comfortable with this crossing, you won’t be comfortable with the rest of the walk.

Once across the Murrumbidgee, walk upstream for 300 metres, using animal tracks where possible, to a creek junction. There are a few patches of stinging nettles. Head up the creek for about 100 metres to a junction – take the fork on your left i.e. head south. Continue up the creek for about 1.7 km as shown on the map, taking care not to mistake any of the side branches for the main creek. Initially fairly open with a mix of stony sections and some grassy banks, the creek eventually narrows.

You will encounter some patches of prickly scrub and may need to climb maybe 20 vertical metres above the creek to get around the worst patch. In the upper reaches of the creek you will see a few scattered Kurrajong trees (Brachychiton populneus) which are the tallest specimens of this species I have seen in the bush.

Exit the creek where it crosses the 700-metre contour via a spur on the east bank as shown on the map. Alternatively, you could continue up the creek to the saddle above its source and then rejoin the route on the map. The suggested exit spur is mostly open forest, with some pleasant views to the north.

The exit spur ends on a ridge at the 840-metre contour. You may like to detour south along the level top of this ridge for 100 metres or so, for a bit of a look around – the forest is open and easy to walk through here, and there are tree-framed views to the Tidbinbilla peaks.

Then head north, descending the ridge which is mostly open forest. Keep an eye on the map so that you stay on the ridgeline. The last part of the ridgeline is an interesting razorback with views to Kambah Pool. At the foot of the razorback, you rejoin your morning route, returning via the river bank and the rock-hop across the Murrumbidgee.

Downloadable files

Download the route in KML format here. Open Google Earth on your computer and drag the KML file onto it. Or download the route in GPX format to load to your GPS.