Canberra Photos

from Commonwealth Bridge

(click for larger image)

far left: the Carillion
far left, far bank: High Court of Australia

left: national Library

centre distance: Parliament House

far right: National Museum 

Above:  Parliament House

By the time I stopped at this location and got my camera out of the top box a federal policeman was parked by my side.  Very sensitive to vehicles stopping in this area!

Yass!

For the greater majority of ACT riders the idea of a ride to Yass would seem a less than good idea.  Not that we are bagging the fine township of Yass!  The Barton Highway is the busy main route between Canberra and Yass, and is the main route to southern Australian cities.  As such, it is reasonably efficient, the quickest route but not that interesting as most of us have done this trip many times.   The following are suggested as alternate routes for a more interesting ride to Yass.  

Option 2: Dog Trap Road offers a bitumen ride to Yass.  The other two routes have sections of dirt road.  These roads are generally in good condition and 60-70kmh can be maintained without too much fuss.  Just remember the corners are where most rutting occurs.  The Hillview Road option has the shortest dirt section if this is your first dirt adventure.

Nanima Road

About 3-4km past the ACT/NSW border, on the right, is Namina Road.   The road winds through countryside typical of the region.   Eventually you will reach a T junction.   Turn left onto Murrumbateman Road.   This is a pleasant run past wineries into the hamlet of Murrumbateman.  Many of the wineries offer meals ranging from fine dining to pizza (Four Winds) on weekends.

Eventually you will encounter the T intersection with the Barton Highway.  Continue your jaunt to Yass by selecting one of the following options.

Option 1:  Hillview Road

Turn right onto the Barton Highway and just to the north of Murrumbateman, on the right, is Hillview Road (the vet is on this intersection).  Follow this until the next T junction and turn left onto Greenwood Road.    A nice ride will lead you to the Yass River Road junction.  At this location is wombat habitat, it is unlikely that you will see them during daylight.

Turn left onto Yass River Road.  A sharp left turn will lead you to Thompson's Crossing and on to a short stretch of gravel road.   It is only 3-4 km and is in good condition so should not be a big issue.  Eventually you will reach the Yass Valley way junction, turn left to go to Yass.

Option 2:  Dog Trap Road

Turn right onto Barton Highway then the next left onto South Street.  South Street ends with a left turn into McIntosh Circuit, then turn right onto Isabel Drive (easier to ride than describe!).
  

A couple of twists and turns later this will lead you to Dog Trap Road.  Follow this and turn left at Yass Valley Way for the ride into Yass.

Option3:  Longrail Gully Road

This is the shortest distance of the three options from Murrumbateman.   Head north from Murrumbateman until you see the Longrail Gully Road turnoff on the left.  

This route has a section of dirt road prior to reaching the Dog Trap Road intersection where it returns to bitumen.  Turn right onto Dog trap Road. Turn left at the conclusion of Dog Trap Road to go to Yass.    

Yass

Yass is a thriving country town that services the region.  For the hungry motorcyclist, a visit to Roses Cafe, Tootsies, Galutizi Cafe or the RSL Club should fit the bill.  Check the link for more information on the region.

Return to Canberra

For the dirt averse return via the Barton Highway.  For the dirt warrior return via Dog Trap Road.  A pleasing ride with 16km of dirt awaits you as it winds through the local district. 

This route bypasses Murrumbateman.  At the Jeir Marchmont Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade Southern Station turn left onto Kaveneys Road (bitumen) and follow this to the Barton Highway.  

Not an exhaustive examination of the Canberra-Yass routes, for example Mountain Creek Road is well worth a look if you have the time, but something to get you off the Barton Highway!

 

    

Coffee and Wood

For northern Canberran riders a very nice morning or afternoon jaunt.  Nothing too taxing but a nice ride to blow the cobwebs out and spoil yourself.  The BP service station on the Federal Highway roundabout at the Antill Street intersection is a favourite meeting place for riders heading north.

Continue towards Sydney on the Federal Highway.   After the Sutton Road overpass the next intersection is Macs Reef Road to the right.   Shortly after this, on the left, is the Old Federal Highway/Tulip Top Gardens turnoff.  

 

This pleasant diversion from the Federal Highway will take you to the southern Lake George observation car-park if you were to cross the highway.  

If you want to have a look it might be better to wait until our return as we will pass this spot on our second leg.  Be aware while on the Old Federal Highway there is one Stop sign that crosses its path so be prepared for this.

 

We travel along almost the entire length of Lake George before exiting at the Gurney VC turnoff for a short ride to the Lerida Estate winery.   

The winery has a very nice Coffee Shop, range of cakes, sit-down lunch and view over the Lake George environs ... and wine tasting of course, but we are not necessarily here for that!

After coffee it is on to Bungendore.  Back to the Federal Highway and head towards Canberra.  If you like, have a stop at the Weereewa lookout, otherwise continue towards Canberra until you reach the Bungendore turnoff.

Bungendore is a well know locality in Canberra circles for a lazy afternoon at the various attractions with the Woodworks being a prime attraction.  Check the link if you would like to know more.  

The return to Canberra has a number of options.  Returning the way we arrived provides two options:  Norton Road will take you to the east of Canberra airport and Macs Reef Road back to the Federal Highway.  If you want to go south the road to Queanbeyan is the quickest route.  

The ride is approximately 140 km.  Generally good surface, if bumpy on parts of the Old Federal Highway.  
  

Tinderry Range

If the Cotter circuit is the favourite ride of the road warriors then the Tinderry Range ride would be one of the favourites of the local adventure/dirt bike crowd.  The Tinderry Nature Reserve is located 60km south of Canberra. 
 

Tinderry Range from east of Michelago

The village of Michelago is at the foot of the Tinderry Range and was the destination for lunch on this ride.  The General Store provides the usual range of take-away. 

Michelago General Store

If you have a bit of time it is worth a quick look around the village.  The train station is still in reasonable repair and the main station building is used for functions.  The remaining rail infrastructure suggests that Michelago was once a reasonably important station.

Michelago Train Station

Just to the east of Michelago you get a fine view of the Tinderry Range.

East of Michelago

A couple of kilometres to the east of Michelago is the turnoff to Captains Flat/Tinderry Road and the dirt road starts here. 

Start of the dirt section  

Initially the dirt road is in good condition and should not present any challenges.  

Rolling through the foothills of the Tinderry Ranges

Road conditions change once you start ascending.  The surface is hard and the suspension takes a bit of a beating.  Standing on the footpegs makes life easier for the rider and fortunately these conditions abate once the highpoint of the ride is reached.

The surface on the ascent is harsh on the bike 

but nothing to be concerned about

Typical conditions, once the highpoint is reached

Eventually Tinderry Road intersects with Captains Flat Road.  A turn to the right will take you to Bredbo and to the left, Captains Flat.  A regular ride is the Captain Flat-Bredbo run and return to Canberra via the Cooma Road.

On this occasion I turned for Captains Flat and then Canberra.  The turn-around was four and a half hours.  So a nice afternoon out. 

Captain's Flat

After foray's to the north, south and west it was time for a ride to the east of Canberra.    A regular ride destination is Captain's Flat, especially for adventure and dirt riders.  The Tallaganda State forest is to the east of Captain's Flat and its host of fire trails is popular with dirt riders and the one horsepower variety (ie horse riders!).  Also dirt roads venture in all directions.

Depart Queanbeyan heading east on Kings Highway.  The first major intersection is the junction with Captains Flat Road, so turn right here.  The Molonglo River and the old railway line parallel your line of travel to Captains Flat.  The railway line being an artefact from Captains Flat mining days.

One of the rail bridges over the Molonglo River 

A very fine structure from days gone by is the church of Saint Thomas The Apostle at Carwoola.  It is faring better than the rail line and is still in operation, although you wonder how long it can hold on in this post-Christian age.  

  Saint Thomas The Apostle, Carwoola

  As I continued towards Captains Flat a willy willy took off - right of picture.

Willy Willy - aka Dust Devil

The road meanders south flanked by dry yellow fields and finally gives way to bushland typical of the area.  As the road starts to climb and become twisty this indicates you are nearing the outskirts of Captains Flat.   By this time the rail line will be on your right.  Keep an eye out for Miners Road which will be on the right and almost central in a 45 kmh left hand bend, so it can be awkward.  

A kilometer or so you will see the tailings of the old mine on the right.   A short walk up the stairs will reward you with a view of the mine entrance and a view over the town.

The mine entrance

The oranges and yellows are in start contrast to the usual bush palette.

  
Follow Miners Road down into the town, perhaps have a refreshment at the local.  A friendly place where the children are happy to wave to a passing biker as time slowly passes on a hot summer day.

  

Cheapo Adventure Camera

I purchased a cheapo Chinese Adventure Camera.  Mounted it on top of my right pannier, set it to camera mode, 30 sec repeat.  Below is a couple of the images from the ride.  Bit contrasty but okay for the price.

South on Cooma Road; Ryrie Street, Michelago; Burra Road; Old Cooma Road; Queanbeyan.

A visit to the Gunning Golf Club

With improved roads and infrastructure, and the high mobility of young members of country communities, many of the old social structures have collapsed due to lack of membership and the competition from better financed competitors in nearby towns.   

  The Gunning Golf Club

Although GGC looks rather run down at the moment there is a community of believers who are trying to refurbish the course and the clubhouse.  The Gunning community assists with working bees, fund raising via sausage sizzles at Bunnings and calls for donations to assist in the operation of their plant and equipment. 

Good luck to the committee and keep an eye on their Facebook page if you are in the area.