Starting from the car park on Kowen Road, Kowen, this circuit walk gives you a taste of the western Kowen Forest mostly via the Southern Break Fire Trail. Going through a dense forest filled with wildlife, this track can make for a great birdwatching session. The area is home to various bird species such as the Scarlet Robin, Silvereye and the White-eared Honeyeater. You may also run into some cute little sugar gliders that can soar up to an impressive 100 metres between trees. In spite of their acrobatic moves and capabilities, they unfortunately can not swim at all, and drown almost instantly in any body of water. Shingleback lizards reside in the area as well, so try not to step on them as you make your way through the woodland. Keep in mind that motorbikes and 4WD vehicles can not enter the tracks without a permit. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Turn right onto Morshead Drive and drive for another 2.4 km
At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Pialligo Avenue and drive for another 640 m
At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Pialligo Avenue and drive for another 4.8 km
Keep left and drive for another 135 m
Turn slight left onto Sutton Road and drive for another 1.4 km
Turn right onto Kowen Road and drive for another 570 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the car park on Kowen Road(530 metres east of intersection with Sutton Road), get on Kowen Road and turn left, then pass through/around the gate. Follow the road as it leads you towards the woodland. Stay on the said road as it veers left and enters the woodland to continue along Southern Break Mini Loop.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
After another 8 m turn left, to head along Kowen Road.
After 45 m head through/around the gate.
After another 470 m continue straight, to head along Kowen Road.
After another 190 m continue straight, to head along Kowen Road.
After another 145 m (at the intersection of Southern Break & Kowen Road) turn right, to head along Southern Break (a vehicle track).
After another 640 m continue straight.
After another 70 m continue straight.
After another 600 m turn right, to head along South Break.
After another 850 m head through/around the gate.
At the intersection of Molonglo Gorge Road & South Break continue straight, to head along Molonglo Gorge Road.
After another 180 m (at the intersection of Kowen Road & Molonglo Gorge Road) turn sharp right, to head along Kowen Road.
After another 50 m come to the end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Southern Break Mini Loop
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
3.2 km
Time
1 h to 1 h 45 min
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (2/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)