Eastern Stromlo Forest Circuit

4 h 30 min to 7 h

14.5 km
circuit

↑ 448 m
↓ -447 m

Moderate track
Starting from Stromlo Forest Park Carpark, Stromlo, this circuit walk explores the eastern woodlands of Stromlo Forest via various tracks, visiting Mount Stromlo and Willo Link Totem along the way. Stromlo Forest is home to a world-class multi-use facility, with the convenience of being just 15 minutes away(with a car) from the city centre. A haven for mountain bikers, Stromlo Forest Park has countless high quality MTB tracks, along with cross-country running tracks and walking tracks. The summit of Mount Stromlo will welcome you with panoramic views over western Canberra and Brindabella Range. Especially stunning at dusk and dawn, this spot can also be a great opportunity to watch for some cute little magpies. As you’re making your way back to the start, you’ll pass by the Willo Link Totem. This totem was erected in honor of James ‘Willo’ Williamson, a world champion mountain biker who was loved and respected by many. May he rest in peace. Keep in mind that the facility closes at 9PM in Daylight Savings Time, and 6PM otherwise. 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 (-35.3202932,149.0241699)
Mode Car
DirectionsFrom Tuggeranong Parkway
  • Turn on to Cotter Road Offramp then drive for 450 m
  • Keep right onto Cotter Road Offramp and drive for another 70 m
  • Turn right onto Cotter Road and drive for another 2.3 km
  • Continue onto John Gorton Drive and drive for another 1.7 km
  • Keep left and drive for another 60 m
  • Turn left onto Opperman Avenue and drive for another 135 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Opperman Avenue and drive for another 325 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Dave McInnes Road and drive for another 95 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Dave McInnes Road and drive for another 325 m
  • Continue onto Dave McInnes Road and drive for another 320 m
  • Turn right and drive for another 160 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the southwest corner of Stromlo Forest Park Carpark on Dave McInnes Road, head towards the dirt/grass roundabout marked with multiple signposts, moving directly away from the road. Turn left as you come to the said roundabout and join the dirt track, moving parallel to the road. Head towards the tunnel, and then straight towards the woodland as you pass over the bridge to continue along Eastern Stromlo Forest Circuit.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 7 m turn left.
Find the Start/Finish at the start.
After another 25 m continue straight.
After another 30 m pass the "Handle Bar" (100 m on your left).
Then head through the tunnel (about 10 m long)
After another 70 m cross the bridge (about 8 m long)
After another 20 m veer right.
After another 40 m continue straight, to head along Fenceline.
After another 80 m continue straight.
Keep left.
After another 15 m pass the "The Playground".
Then cross the bridge (about 10 m long)
After another 10 m pass the picnic table (15 m on your left).
After another 130 m continue straight.
Keep right.
After another 40 m continue straight, to head along Fenceline.
After another 55 m continue straight, to head along Fenceline.
After another 210 m veer left, to head along Cockatoo Switchbacks.
After another 1 km pass a seat (7 m on your right)., has no backrest.
Turn left, to head along Cockatoo Switchbacks.
After another 205 m (at the intersection of Forest Trail & Cockatoo Switchbacks) continue straight (a vehicle track).
After another 320 m continue straight, to head along Blue Gums.
Keep right.
After another 130 m (at the intersection of Blue Gums & Cardiac Arrest) continue straight, to head along Blue Gums.
After another 155 m (at the intersection of Bobby Pin Climb & Blue Gums) continue straight, to head along Bobby Pin Climb.
Keep right.
After another 420 m (at the intersection of Emu Run & Bobby Pin Climb) continue straight, to head along Emu Run.
After another 470 m continue straight.
After another 55 m continue straight, to head along ABC Switchbacks.
After another 990 m continue straight.
After another 55 m turn right, to head along City View.
After another 360 m (at the intersection of Rocky's & City View) continue straight, to head along Rocky's.
After another 30 m continue straight.
Keep left.
After another 275 m pass the "Walking on the moon (2007)" (145 m on your left).
After another 155 m turn right, to head along Mount Stromlo Road.
After another 30 m veer right.
After another 6 m pass the picnic table (120 m on your left).
Then pass the "Cafe" (115 m on your left).
After another 25 m continue straight.
After another 25 m pass the "Sundial" (50 m on your left).
After another 10 m pass the water tap (6 m on your left).
Then head through/around the gate.
After another 160 m continue straight.
After another 35 m head through/around the gate.
After another 80 m pass the "Mount Stromlo" (30 m on your right).
After another 50 m come to the "Mount Stromlo Lookout" (8 m on your left).
Then head through/around the gate.
After another 7 m turn right.
After another 165 m continue straight.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. A little optional side trip to Duffield Family Grave. The site\'s founder Dr. Walter Duffield is buried here, along with his family members. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 85 m veer right, to head along Casuarina Climb.
After another 15 m head through/around the gate.
After another 15 m head through/around the gate.
After another 35 m (at the intersection of Casuarina Climb & Western Wedgetail) veer left, to head along Western Wedgetail (a walking track).
After another 180 m continue straight, to head along Western Wedgetail.
After another 235 m (at the intersection of Western Wedgetail & Sunset Boulevard) continue straight, to head along Western Wedgetail.
After another 25 m (at the intersection of Western Wedgetail & Casuarina Climb) continue straight, to head along Casuarina Climb (a vehicle track).
Keep left.
After another 120 m (at the intersection of Magpie Rock & Casuarina Climb) turn sharp left, to head along Slick Rock (a walking track).
After another 1000 m (at the intersection of Pork Barrel & Slick Rock) continue straight, to head along Pork Barrel.
After another 35 m (at the intersection of Pork Barrel & Slick Rock) veer right, to head along Pork Barrel.
After another 195 m (at the intersection of Willo link & Pork Barrel) continue straight, to head along Pork Barrel.
After another 25 m pass the pay phone (9 m on your right).
After another 6 m (at the intersection of Double Dissolution & North South Link) continue straight, to head along Double Dissolution.
Keep middle.
After another 170 m cross the ford.
After another 30 m continue straight, to head along Double Dissolution.
After another 650 m continue straight, to head along Double Dissolution.
After another 8 m pass the car park (8 m on your left).
After another 25 m (at the intersection of Crim Track & North South Link) veer right, to head along Crim Track.
After another 790 m (at the intersection of Descent to Dingo & Reservoir Link Track) continue straight, to head along Descent to Dingo.
After another 460 m (at the intersection of Reservoir Link Track & Descent to Dingo) veer left, to head along Dingo.
After another 320 m continue straight.
After another 40 m veer left, to head along White Gums.
After another 880 m veer left, to head along Ringtail.
After another 580 m (at the intersection of Wombat Junction & Breakout) continue straight, to head along Breakout.
After another 7 m pass a seat (9 m on your right).
After another 910 m cross the ford.
After another 240 m (at the intersection of Carpark Track & Muck Raker) turn left, to head along Muck Raker (a walking track).
After another 310 m (at the intersection of Muck Raker & Ridge Trail) continue straight, to head along Muck Raker.
After another 160 m (at the intersection of Muck Raker & Remnants) continue straight, to head along Muck Raker.
After another 40 m (at the intersection of Old Duffy Descent & Muck Raker) continue straight, to head along Old Duffy Descent.
After another 460 m continue straight, to head along Old Duffy Descent.
After another 420 m (at the intersection of Old Duffy Descent & Old Duffy Descent (A Line)) continue straight, to head along Old Duffy Descent.
After another 120 m come to the end.

A little optional side trip to Duffield Family Grave. The site\'s founder Dr. Walter Duffield is buried here, along with his family members.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 85 m come to the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 85 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Eastern Stromlo Forest Circuit


Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length 14.5 km
Time 4 h 30 min to 7 h
Quality of track Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage Clearly signposted (2/6)
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)

Some facilities on route
Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 4.8 km apart with the largest gap of 10.1 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Seat
1.8 km[seat]
Seat
11.9 km[seat]
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