Summary
A circuit around Mulligans Flat which is a large reserve on the eastern edge of Gungahlin devoted to the protection of endangered native plant and animal species with a number of interesting walking tracks, including a scenic hill climb in the north which partly follows the NSW border. This particular circuit is a combination of the Mulligans Circuit and the North Mulligans Circuit. While the track is easy to follow you might like to take a compass to try out your navigation skills in a safe environment.
The Mulligans Circuit Track heads uphill close to the NSW border and follows the border more or less along the ridge-top heading first north with a turn to the west. There are excellent view over pastoral and wooded country to the east and across Gungahlin to the Brindabellas, their tops often dusted with snow, in winter, to the south and west. The Majura-Ainslie ridgeline is prominent to the south east.
- 8 km, allow 5 hours including an hour of breaks
- Great views over Gungahlin and attractive woodlands and grasslands.
Clustered Everlasting (Chrysocephalum semipapposum) near a dam at Mulligans Flat, photographed in late autumn
Route
Park your car in the car park off Amy Ackman Street, opposite Cleggett Street, Forde. It’s worth taking a couple of minutes to read the sign at the start which gives you details of the Aboriginal people of this area and the quarries they used to procure stones for making tools.
Set off uphill to the Red Gum Gate. After passing through the predator-proof fence, making sure to shut the gate, head north north east along the Mulligans Circuit Track which follows an attractively wooded ridge. Pass through the Bettong Gate, and then continue through a grassy area to where the track takes a sharp turn South East. From here continue north east to Mulligans Flat Road, crossing it at a roundabout and taking the road leading uphill for approximately 30 metres until you pass through a gate and join the North Mulligans Circuit Track.
Pass through an unmarked gate which is actually the western boundary of the reserve. Continue on for approximately 500 metres to climb to Oak Hill, the highest point with a trig station and a phone tower on top.
Retrace your steps to the boundary fence and gate near a black plastic cylinder, purpose unknown, which is concreted into the ground.
Turn south at this point and follow the road downhill to a parking area off Mulligans Flat Road next to the suburb of Bonner. The flat grassland here is a sanctuary for the Golden Sun Moth. Head north east along a dirt road on the northern side of the tarred Mulligans Flat Road until you come to the roundabout where you can cross.
On rejoining the Mulligans Circuit Track continue south east to the Treecreeper Gate. From there curve round to the west back to the Bettong Gate, then back to your car. This section isn’t straightforward and doesn’t seem to quite fit the map, but don’t be tempted to strike out across country, as there are unmarked fences blocking the way.
Walk description contributed by Terrylea Reynolds, May 2020.
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.
Map of the route
Sign at the starting point
View towards Bungendore, Lake George and beyond
Attractive woodland along the Mulligans Circuit Track
This black plastic cylinder of unknown purpose marks the point at which you turn south