The Settlers Loop

2 h 30 min to 4 h

9.2 km
circuit

↑ 179 m
↓ -179 m

Moderate track
Starting from the David Brayshaws Hut off Boboyan Road, Mount Clear, this walk takes you on a circuit near the southern border of Namadgi National Park, visiting 3 historic huts in the process. David Brayshaws Hut will be your first stop on this journey, which was built in 1903 by Edward Brayshaw for grazing purposes. It was the home of Davey Brayshaw, who lived here until the end of his life(1931). Shortly after came Henry and Iris Curtis, working timber and fibro in the early 1930s. The hut was comprehensively renovated in the late 1980s. After visiting the first hut on the journey, you’ll leave the rural area and head into the eucalypt woodland along the track. You may come across kangaroos and wallabies throughout the hike, but you have to be stealthy to take close-up pictures as they’re not used to walkers. As you make it out of the forest and past the creek, the historic Waterhole Hut will appear in the distance. It has some old sheep yards and horse stalls nearby for you to explore. From here, the track meanders along Grassy Creek towards the Westermans Homestead. Known for its nostalgic bargeboards and stone chimneys, this hut was built in 1916 by Bruce Jeffrey. Two family members of the Westermans are buried up the hill. Keep an eye out for the Octopus Stinkhorn, a fungus that looks like an upside-down octopus(hence the name) with red tentacles. As a ‘plus’, it smells like cow dung. If you decide to come here in summer, cover yourself well and bring an insect repellent to be protected from the relentless flies. In winter on the other hand, remember to check the forecast to be safe against storms and drastic temperature drops. Expect to get wet feet in some areas around the walk regardless of the season, so an extra pair of socks or waterproof boots may come in handy. 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.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-35.8757237,148.9857725)
Mode Car
DirectionsFrom Tuggeranong Parkway
  • Turn on to Drakeford Drive then drive for 2 km
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Drakeford Drive and drive for another 700 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Tharwa Drive and drive for another 950 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Tharwa Drive and drive for another 540 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Tharwa Drive and drive for another 890 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Tharwa Drive and drive for another 1 km
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Tharwa Drive and drive for another 5 km
  • Turn slight left onto Naas Road and drive for another 48.3 km
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the car park on Boboyan Road(1.35km northeast of the ACT-NSW border), pass through the bollard and the wooden fence with the red gate towards the slanted signpost. Pass by the said signpost to your left and head towards the David Brayshaws Hut along the walking track, then follow the track as it veers left towards the woodland to continue along The Settlers Loop(counterclockwise). This is the encouraged direction of travel.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 40 m continue straight.
After another 140 m come to the "David Brayshaws Hut" (15 m on your right).
The starting point of an alternate route. An alternate route skipping the Waterhole Hut section of the loop. To take the alternate route turn left here. Details below.
After another 2.2 km veer right.
After another 1.4 km turn left, to head along Waterholes Firetrail.
After another 85 m come to the "Waterhole Hut" (7 m on your right).
After another 680 m (at the intersection of Grassy Creek Firetrail & Waterholes Firetrail) continue straight, to head along Grassy Creek Firetrail.
The alternate route finishes here. Veer left to rejoin the main route at the 5.4 km waypoint. Details below.
After another 760 m veer right, to head along Grassy Creek Firetrail.
After another 2 km pass the toilet (15 m on your right).
Turn left.
After another 65 m come to the "Westermans Homestead" (9 m on your left).
After another 195 m cross the ford.
After another 1.7 km come to a toilet.
Turn right.
After another 40 m come to the end.

An alternate route skipping the Waterhole Hut section of the loop.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 185 m come to the end.
At the end of this alternate route, rejoin the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

The Settlers Loop


Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length 9.2 km
Time 2 h 30 min to 4 h
Quality of track Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route
Tourism|alpine_hut: There are 3 on route, on average they are 2.3 km apart with the largest gap of 3.7 km.

Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 3.1 km apart with the largest gap of 7.4 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Tourism|alpine_hut
180 mDavid Brayshaws Hut
Tourism|alpine_hut
3.9 kmWaterhole Hut
Tourism|alpine_hut
7.3 kmWestermans Homestead
Toilet
7.4 km[toilet]
Toilet
9.2 km[toilet]
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