Recreation and bushwalking
Doug Finlayson
Murrumbidgee River gorge below Cusacks Crossing
Within the boundaries of the proposed national park there is a huge opportunity for the development of a network of walking tracks. The basis for walking tracks along Ginninderra Creek and falls is well established. The network along the creek was developed when the waterfalls formed part of a recreational and wildlife park in the 1960s to 1990s. There is still evidence of the track network.
Several walking tracks are in place at Ginninderra Falls although rehabilitation and/or maintenance are needed. The falls have been closed to the public for some years and the trails have been neglected.
Signage along the currently disused Ginninderra Creek walking track network.
The walking tracks lead to spectacular views of the upper falls and down to the lower falls and from this point it is easy to reach the Murrumbidgee River. There are fine views of the timbered gorge along Ginninderra Creek and of the surrounding countryside. A study of the suggested National Park should result in more tracks being developed in the area of Ginninderra Gorge and along the Murrumbidgee.
Existing, and any new, tracks would undoubtedly heighten the appeal of the proposed park to the 150 000 people that will live in Belconnen and Gungahlin by the year 2020 and others elsewhere in the ACT and the surrounding areas of New South Wales, together with visitors to the nation’s capital city.
There is scope for the development of existing tracks from the Woodstock Reserve within ACT near Uriarra Crossing into the proposed national park within NSW along the Murrumbidgee River corridor. This would undoubtedly be a popular route into the national park.
Other walking tracks within the national park could take advantage of the high areas to the north of Ginninderra Creek. The view from the summit would be outstanding.
High ground within the proposed national park viewed from the “Parkwood” homestead.
For many visitors to the proposed national park the easier tracks would be the main attraction leading down to the Murrumbidgee River corridor. The waterholes along the river would undoubtedly be attractive summer destinations (Graeme Barrow and Doug Finlayson, 2011).
Murrumbidgee River corridor near the confluence with Ginninderra Creek.