Easy-Medium Wednesday Walk #1, 7 October, Melrose Nature Reserve (BBC)

No bookings required for joint club Wednesday Walks

Leader: Dave A. for BBC

An interesting and varied walk through the Melrose Nature Reserve. We’ll start in Theodore and make our way to see the very well preserved Aboriginal Axe Grinding grooves which are located on the edge of this suburb. From here, we’ll go via the Monaro Hwy underpass into the Melrose Nature Reserve to view the Memorial Tree Planting Project. We then cross Tuggeranong creek over stepping stones and then make our way off track through open scrub and woodland to find the remains of the Melrose Valley Railway Camp Cookhouse. We’ll then follow the derelict railway line on the NSW/ACT border for a couple of kilometres then leave the rail track back into the reserve, over rolling hills to make our way back to our starting point near Tuggeranong Hill. This is a hilly walk with a mix of paths including fire trails, single track and some off track walking through open scrub, woodland and grassland. Gaiters are advised as it’s a bit scrubby in small sections and bring your walking poles too to help with some of the loose rocky terrain.

Maps: Tuggeranong 1:25,000

Distance: 10 kms

Ascent/Descent: 170 mtrs

Grading: Medium/Easy (CBC), 5.5 (BBC), 1ABC (NPA)

Meeting Time: 8.15 am for an 8.30 am start

Meeting Place: Meet at the Kambah Shops carpark on Marconi Ave., (opposite the petrol station). We will carpool from here. 26km round trip. $4 per passenger.

Weather for next Wednesday: 5C to 18C. No rain.

What to Bring: Day-pack, gaiters, hat, sunscreen, 2 litres of water, morning tea and lunch. Walking poles if you wish.

Those doing their first Wednesday Walk, and those who are not members of the CBC, BBC or NPA, must contact the leader to discuss the level of difficulty of the walk. You can do this by clicking on the "Create a Booking" or the "Send a message" button on the right hand side of this walk description.