About the Walking the Suburbs of Canberra Project
This project began after years of weekly walks with friends after work during daylight saving, in and around Canberra’s hills, waterways and established tracks. Then in October 2015 one of our walkers suggested we do a walk in each of Canberra’s suburbs. So this project began.
I would do a weekend reconnaissance walk within one of Canberra’s suburbs and then on the subsequent Wednesday one of the group would lead the walk following my directions . This website of over 100 walks is the result.
Scope
This website outlines walks in each of the over 100 established residential suburbs of Canberra. The walks have been designed to take in many of each suburb’s playgrounds, parks, wetlands and grassy reserves.
All walks are contained within the suburb’s boundaries except for a few cases where it is convenient to wander briefly into another suburb. Where suburbs are bounded by hills and ridges, I have largely avoided including them because such walks have been covered by other websites and publications.
The website does not include walks in the major retail and office centres such as Civic, Belconnen, Woden, Fyshwick, Russell, Mitchell and Hume. Nor does it include walks in the ACT rural localities of Hall, Tharwa, Williamsdale, Mt Stromlo, Oaks Estate, Pierces Creek and Uriarra.
SUITABILITY AND APPEAL
The walks would suit people walking for pleasure; those walking for fitness; walking their dog; people just wanting to explore and get to know the suburb; people interested in other people’s gardens and homes; families with children; parents who may have time to fill in while their children play sport. How often have you driven past a suburb with no idea of the hidden gems it may contain?
DIFFICULTY
The walks are not difficult. Although there are hills in most suburbs, the routes follow established streets, paths, fire trails and dirt tracks. Where there are steps, these are mentioned in the walk directions and marked on the map.
LENGTH
Walks should take between 1 to 2 hours but on average about 90 minutes.
directions
All walks are loop walks and where possible start and finish at each suburb’s shops. Some suburbs do not have shops. In such cases the walks start where it is easy to park. There are brief directions as to how to get to the start of each walk.
There is a map of each walk with a teardrop icon indicating its starting point and arrows pointing the way. Some features such as playgrounds are located on the map.
There are also detailed written directions and a pdf version should you wish to print them.
SUBURB INFORMATION
I have included some information about each suburb: the origin of its name; the theme for the street names; and when the suburb was established/gazetted. Sometimes there is other information about the suburb or some feature within it such as a memorial, historic building etc
FUTURE WALKS
As new suburbs are established, walks will be added to this site.
FEEDBACK
There are many ways to walk around your suburb. The ones on this site are just one suggestion. I welcome any feedback, corrections and suggestions which can be sent to inquiry@walkcanberra.com
Responsibility and Acknowledgements
I take full responsibility for the information on this website. However, I would like to thank all the people who came on the weekly walks and trialled my sometimes confusing directions with good humour and helpful suggestions for improvement. I would also like to thank my friends for their encouragement and for putting up with my endless chatter about this project over the last six years.
Rob Lundie
June 2021