Cooleman Hill and Mount Arawang Circuit

Starting from Monkman Street, Chapman, this circuit walk takes you into the grasslands of Cooleman Ridge Nature Reserve, visiting Cooleman Hill and Mount Arawang along the way. Start the hike with a climb up the hill to get your heart pumping. As you’re enjoying the panoramic views over the reserve, look out for birds such as the Diamond Firetrail and the Flame Robin. Get on the hammock atop of the hill for an extra comfortable birdwatching session. Other animals residing in the area include the Eastern bearded dragon and the endangered Pink-tailed worm-lizard. When you make it to the summit of Mount Arawang, expect a 360 degree clear view of everything around you, with a good balance of urban and natural scenery. Specifically, the aesthetic view of the distant mountains covered with dense forests is well worth the effort. Keep in mind that horse riding is allowed on marked equestrian trails. 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.

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
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.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	From the Monkman Street (-35.3533585,149.0297153)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Tuggeranong Parkway Turn on to Hindmarsh Drive Offramp then drive for 510 m Keep right onto Hindmarsh Drive Offramp and drive for another 80 m Turn right onto Hindmarsh Drive and drive for another 2.1 km Keep left onto Streeton Drive and drive for another 1.5 km At roundabout, take exit 3 onto Darwinia Terrace and drive for another 660 m Turn left onto Perry Drive and drive for another 125 m Turn right onto Rafferty Street and drive for another 105 m Turn left onto Monkman Street and drive for another 390 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From Monkman Street(350 metres west of intersection with Rafferty Street), head towards the concrete powerline pole near the informational signpost with a “Canberra Nature Park Cooleman Ridge” sign on it on the gravel/dirt path, moving directly away from the road. Pass by the said signpost and pole to your right and follow the track as it veers left. Following the track, head up the steps and cross the fire trail. Pass through the metal crossing with railings and head up another set of steps to find a white little informational signpost with a green brochure dispenser next to it. Follow the steps up the hill to continue along Cooleman Hill and Mount Arawang Circuit.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	From the Monkman Street Start (a walking track).
	After another 70 m (from the Cutoff Drain Fire Trail) continue straight. Then cross the bridge (about 4 m long) Then head down the earthen steps (about 115 m long)
	After another 25 m turn sharp right. Then pass the "Cooleman Hill" (10 m on your left).
	After another 115 m (from the Nature Fire Trail) turn left, to head along Nature Fire Trail (a vehicle track). After another 180 m (at the intersection of Dam Fire Trail & Nature Fire Trail) turn left, to head along Dam Fire Trail.
	After another 10 m (from the Dam Fire Trail) turn right (a walking track). After another 380 m come to the viewpoint (20 m on your right). After another 170 m continue straight. Then head up the very steep (16% ~ 9.1°) earthen incline (about 940 m long) From the Darrell Place FT continue straight.
	After another 780 m (from the Guinness Fire Trail) veer left, to head along Guinness Fire Trail (a vehicle track).
	After another 100 m (at the intersection of Arawang Saddle Fire Trail & Guinness Fire Trail) turn right, to head along Arawang Saddle Fire Trail. After another 225 m (at the intersection of Arawang Saddle Fire Trail & Steep Fire Trail) continue straight, to head along Arawang Saddle Fire Trail.
	After another 140 m (from the Arawang Saddle Fire Trail) continue straight, to head along Arawang Saddle Fire Trail (a walking track). After another 130 m head through/around the gate.
	After another 1 m (from the Arawang Saddle Fire Trail) continue straight.
	After another 360 m turn sharp right. After another 20 m pass the "Mount Arawang" (8 m on your left).
	After another 610 m turn right.
	After another 530 m turn right. After another 50 m continue straight.
	After another 290 m (from the Arawang Saddle Fire Trail) turn left, to head along Arawang Saddle Fire Trail (a walking track).
	After another 45 m (from the Arawang Saddle Fire Trail) continue straight, to head along Arawang Saddle Fire Trail. After another 90 m (from the Arawang Saddle Fire Trail) continue straight, to head along Arawang Saddle Fire Trail (a vehicle track). After another 140 m (at the intersection of Steep Fire Trail & Arawang Saddle Fire Trail) continue straight, to head along Arawang Saddle Fire Trail.
	After another 225 m (at the intersection of Guinness Fire Trail & Arawang Saddle Fire Trail) veer right, to head along Guinness Fire Trail. After another 130 m (from the Guinness Fire Trail) continue straight, to head along Guinness Fire Trail.
	After another 130 m (at the intersection of Cutoff Drain Fire Trail & Guinness Fire Trail) turn left, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail. After another 500 m (from the Cutoff Drain Fire Trail) continue straight, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail. After another 255 m (from the Cutoff Drain Fire Trail) continue straight, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail.
	After another 250 m (at the intersection of Cutoff Drain Fire Trail & Dam Fire Trail) veer right, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail.
	After another 165 m (from the Cutoff Drain Fire Trail) continue straight, to head along Cutoff Drain Fire Trail.
	After another 210 m (from the Cutoff Drain Fire Trail) turn right (a walking track).
	After another 70 m come to the end.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Cooleman Hill and Mount Arawang Circuit

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	6.7 km
Time	2 h to 3 h 15 min

Quality of track	Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

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Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Woden Valley Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon
  
  Tuesday 29 April
  
  20°C
  Showers developing.
  80% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of fog in the outer west early this morning. High chance of showers, most likely during this afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Light winds becoming southerly 15 to 20 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the evening.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: No Rating
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:40am to 1:50pm, UV Index predicted to reach 4 [Moderate]
  
  Wednesday 30 April
  
  9°C → 17°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely from the late morning. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds south to southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.
  
  Thursday 1 May
  
  6°C → 17°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Cloudy. Very high chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h turning southerly 25 to 35 km/h during the morning.
  
  Friday 2 May
  
  3°C → 19°C
  Partly cloudy.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers. Winds south to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light during the evening.
  
  Saturday 3 May
  
  3°C → 20°C
  Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h turning southeasterly during the day.
  
  Sunday 4 May
  
  4°C → 21°C
  Cloudy.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day.
  
  Monday 5 May
  
  6°C → 21°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming east to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- ACT Parks alerts
  When planning and before starting your trip please check ACT Parks Website for anything that may impact on your plans. It is also worth checking the Parks Facebook page for more timely information.

Weather Forecast

Alerts