Shepherds Lookout via Strathnairn
Canberra, ACT
This out and back trail is a beautiful escape into nature and a mostly easy walk through open countryside and wooded tracks from Strathnairn all the way to Shepherd's Lookout.
This is a great walk for wildlife spotting and offers an interesting mix of grassland, woodland and river corridor landscapes. The transmission lines are a bit of a blot on an otherwise beautiful landscape, but they don't detract from the enjoyment of the walk.
We walked the trail on a gloomy, drizzly day in winter, as you can probably tell from the images. But the scenery was still beautiful and when the sun popped its head out late in our walk it lit up the golden grass and the valley which was really lovely.
Summary
Distance: 7.5km
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights
Expansive scenery and native flora including wildflowers in season
Murrumbidgee River views from Shepherd's Lookout and Gruner's Vista
Excellent wildlife spotting
Strathnairn Arts and Community Centre and Cafe Stepping Stone
Trail Tips
Some sections of the trail are narrow and require careful footing.
Dogs on leads are permitted in the short section at the end but not on the reserve. Dog owners should be aware that regular baiting of foxes takes place in the area.
Keep an eye out for snakes
There is very little shade for much of the walk, so a hat, water and sunscreen are recommended.
Toilets are available at the start and end of the walk.
Getting There
The walk starts from the Arts and Community Centre, Strathnairn.
From The Link building car park, follow the signs along the Bicentennial National Trail for approximately 420 metres to reach the beginning of the track.
The Trail
The trail passes through open country and paddocks (with stiles) before entering more heavily wooded areas. It narrows in places and you'll need to watch your footing carefully on the hillsides and, for a different reason altogether, while walking among cowpats.
There are plenty of places to stop and take in the surroundings, but Gruner's Vista and Shepherd's Lookout are the two standout viewpoints along the trail.
Gruner's Vista comes first and features a reproduction of Elioth Gruner's 1937 painting Weetangera, Canberra, allowing visitors to compare today's landscape with the scene the artist painted almost ninety years ago.
In 1937, artist Elioth Gruner looked out over this vista as he painted Weetangera, Canberra.
The views from Shepherd's Lookout are something to behold, stretching across the valley with the Murrumbidgee River winding away into the distance.
The Murrumbidgee is Australia’s second-longest river, and its waters and surrounding lands sustained First Nations peoples for tens of thousands of years. Archaeological investigations in the area have uncovered hundreds of stone tools, reflecting a long history of occupation and the enduring connection of Aboriginal people to the river and its surrounds.
Once you've taken in the views, you can return the way you came or complete the short loop which rejoins the same point. The return journey offers views from a different perspective and the opportunity to take the alternate route if you didn't use it on the way out.
Nature & Wildlife
The landscape on this walk is quintessentially Australian. You’ll pass beneath large Stringybarks, River Red and Scribbly Gums, and wind your way through stands of Black Cypress Pines, whose seeds are a favourite food of Gang-gang cockatoos. And at the right time of year a variety of wildflowers add an extra layer of colour.
This Scribbly Gum is around 200 years old
All this vegetation supports an impressive range of wildlife.
Apart from the Gang-gangs, Red-rumped parrots, Black cockatoos, eagles, magpies, Weebills and Willy Wagtails are commonly seen along the trail, and around the water, look out for grebes, coots and wood ducks.
Early in the walk you'll pass the Double Dam, which hosts a variety of frog, waterbird and other wildlife species. Listen out for the frog calls and keep an eye out for Eastern long-necked turtles.
The surrounding landscape is home to Eastern grey kangaroos, red-necked and swamp wallabies, wombats, echidnas and snakes. Platypus have also been seen in the river.
Art along the Trail
In addition to the reproduction of Elioth Gruner's painting, the original of which is held by the Art Gallery of NSW, occasional metal sculptural ‘plants’ are dotted along the route, adding an unexpected artistic element to the trail.
In the Area
We did this walk after a tasty lunch at the popular Cafe Stepping Stone, which I’d certainly recommend. There are two Stepping Stone cafes in Canberra, this one in Strathnairn and another in Dickson. This cafe is attached to the Strathnairn Arts building which you’ll want to browse before or after your meal. They have a shop and exhibition space and host regular workshops and ‘crafternoons. Both cafes are social enterprises offering employment and tailored training for migrant and refugee women and others facing barriers to employment.
About twenty minutes away is another of my favourite Canberra walks. The Jerrabomberra Wetlands Walk winds through wetlands and woodlands and is a great one for birders, wildlife photographers and anyone who loves being in nature.