Old Tip Track Circuit

Starting from the end of Phillip Avenue(car access), Hackett, this circuit walk explores the woodlands of Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve, leading via the Hancock Road at first. As there are animals of all kinds in the reserve, this walk can be a great choice for spotting wildlife. Keep an eye out for wattlebirds, lizards, magpies. You can also spot possums if you get the timing right. Expect great views of Canberra as you make your way through the forest, especially over Woden Valley. Some inclines can be demanding and there are small rocks and loose gravel on parts of the track, so be cautious and take it slow to avoid injuries. Also be mindful that there are unexploded ordnance on the eastern side of the Nature Reserve, so stay on track to be safe. 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.

Downloads GPX PDF

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	At the intersection of Hancocks Road & Phillip Avenue (-35.2559412,149.1601746)
Mode	Car
Directions	From Northbourne Avenue, A23, Turner. Turn on to Macarthur Avenue then drive for 35 m Continue onto Wakefield Avenue and drive for another 360 m Turn left onto Majura Avenue and drive for another 1.1 km At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Majura Avenue and drive for another 360 m At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Majura Avenue and drive for another 740 m Turn right onto Phillip Avenue and drive for another 840 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
From the end of Phillip Avenue(car access), head around the green metal gate and turn left. Follow the wide dirt path (Hancocks Road) to continue along Old Tip Track Circuit (clockwise).....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Hancocks Road & Phillip Avenue Start heading along Hancocks Road (a vehicle track). After 65 m pass the car park (15 m on your left).
	After another 35 m (from the Hancocks Road) veer right, to head along Hancocks Road. After another 20 m pass the sign (5 m on your left). After another 210 m (at the intersection of Hancocks Road, Canberra Centenary Trail & Canberra Centenary Trail, Hackett Houses Track (South)) continue straight, to head along Hancocks Road, Canberra Centenary Trail.
	After another 100 m (from the Hancocks Road, Canberra Centenary Trail) continue straight, to head along Hancocks Road, Canberra Centenary Trail. After another 100 m (from the Hancocks Road, Canberra Centenary Trail) continue straight, to head along Hancocks Road, Canberra Centenary Trail. After another 35 m (at the intersection of Hancocks Road, Canberra Centenary Trail & West 132 KVA Track) continue straight, to head along Hancocks Road, Canberra Centenary Trail. Then head up the very steep (19% ~ 10.8°) earthen incline (about 400 m long) From the Hancocks Road, Canberra Centenary Trail continue straight, to head along Hancocks Road, Canberra Centenary Trail. After another 330 m (at the intersection of Hancocks Road, Canberra Centenary Trail & Old Tsr Track) continue straight, to head along Hancocks Road, Canberra Centenary Trail.
	After another 50 m (at the intersection of Canberra Centenary Trail, East 132 KVA Track & Hancocks Road) turn right, to head along Canberra Centenary Trail, East 132 KVA Track. After another 100 m (from the Canberra Centenary Trail, East 132 KVA Track) continue straight, to head along Canberra Centenary Trail, East 132 KVA Track.
	After another 440 m (at the intersection of Canberra Centenary Trail & East 132 KVA Track) turn right, to head along Canberra Centenary Trail (a walking track). Then head up the very steep (21% ~ 11.9°) earthen incline (about 540 m long) From the Canberra Centenary Trail continue straight, to head along Canberra Centenary Trail.
	After another 450 m (at the intersection of Old Tip Track (Summit Access) & Canberra Centenary Trail) turn sharp right, to head along Old Tip Track (Summit Access) (a vehicle track). Then head down the very steep (11% ~ 6.3°) earthen incline (about 540 m long) From the Old Tip Track (Summit Access) continue straight, to head along Old Tip Track (Summit Access).
	After another 75 m (from the Old Tip Track (Summit Access)) continue straight, to head along Old Tip Track (Summit Access).
	After another 235 m (from the Old Tip Track (Summit Access)) continue straight, to head along Old Tip Track (Summit Access).
	After another 215 m (at the intersection of Old Tip Track (Summit Access) & Labyrinth) continue straight, to head along Old Tip Track (Summit Access). After another 5 m head down the very steep (18% ~ 10.2°) earthen incline (about 400 m long) At the intersection of Old Tip Track (Summit Access) & West 132 KVA Track continue straight, to head along Old Tip Track (Summit Access). After another 45 m (from the Old Tip Track (Summit Access)) continue straight, to head along Old Tip Track (Summit Access).
	After another 175 m (at the intersection of Phillip Avenue & Old Tip Track (Summit Access)) turn right, to head along Phillip Avenue (a service road). After another 130 m (from the Phillip Avenue) veer right, to head along Phillip Avenue (a vehicle track).
	Continue another 190 m to find at the intersection of Phillip Avenue & Hancocks Road at the end.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Old Tip Track Circuit

Grading

	Class 3/6 Moderate track
Length	3.5 km
Time	1 h 15 min to 1 h 45 min

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Belconnen Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu
  
  Thursday 1 May
  
  Cloud clearing.
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers along the coastal fringe, medium chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm along the coastal fringe, becoming less likely this evening. Winds southerly 20 to 30 km/h turning southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the evening.
  
  Friday 2 May
  
  3°C → 19°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h tending southerly 15 to 25 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the evening.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: No Rating
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 10:10am to 1:30pm, UV Index predicted to reach 4 [Moderate]
  
  Saturday 3 May
  
  3°C → 20°C
  Mostly sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of fog in the west in the early morning. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the late afternoon.
  
  Sunday 4 May
  
  4°C → 21°C
  Sunny.
  5% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds.
  
  Monday 5 May
  
  5°C → 22°C
  Partly cloudy.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. The chance of morning fog in the outer west. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening.
  
  Tuesday 6 May
  
  5°C → 23°C
  Mostly sunny.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Light winds.
  
  Wednesday 7 May
  
  8°C → 23°C
  Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Light winds.
  
  Thursday 8 May
  
  5°C → 21°C
  Partly cloudy.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds west to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h shifting southeasterly 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