Jerrabomberra West Grasslands Nature Reserve

Jerrabomberra West Grasslands Nature Reserve is a 261-hectare protected area located in the southern part of the Jerrabomberra Valley.

The reserve provides an example of the 'treeless plains' and grassland-to-woodland transition zones that were typical of much of the Canberra region before European settlement. The grasslands are a surprisingly diverse ecosystem, providing a haven for both common and endangered plant and animal species.

Native grasslands once extended across large parts of south-eastern Australia but with less than 1% of this endangered ecological community remaining, the grasslands of the Jerrabomberra Valley protect one of the largest remnant Natural Temperate Grasslands in Australia today.

Passive, low-impact recreation, such as walking and birdwatching on existing tracks, is compatible with the sensitive natural values of this reserve.

Dogs, horses and bicycles are not allowed.

Natural values

Jerrabomberra West Grasslands Nature Reserve protects:

one of the largest areas of nationally critically endangered Natural Temperate Grassland in the ACT (180 hectares)
nationally critically endangered Yellow Box–Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland
diverse habitat for reptiles including the endangered Grassland Earless Dragon (Tympanocryptis lineata) (the reserve is one of only 3 protected areas in which the dragon's 'northern' form is known to occur)
populations of 3 other threatened species: Striped Legless Lizard (Delma impar), Golden Sun Moth (Synemon plana) and Perunga Grasshopper (Perunga ochracea)
habitat for small numbers of threatened Scarlet Robin (Petroica boodang) and Flame Robin (Petroica phoenicea), particularly in autumn and winter, as well as the rare Dusky Woodswallow (Artamus cyanopterus) and Diamond Firetail (Stagonopleura guttata), which breed in the reserve
habitat for rare plant species
one of the few known locations of the rare and locally endemic Canberra Raspy Cricket (Cooraboorama canberrae)
open rocky areas within the woodland that are likely habitat for the vulnerable Pink-tailed Worm-lizard (Aprasia parapulchella)

Canberra Ornithologists Group has conducted seasonal monitoring at woodland sites since 2005. Friends of Grasslands advocates for and assists in grassland conservation.

Jerrabomberra West Grasslands Nature Reserve is protected under the Nature Conservation Act 2014. Thank you for taking care of the natural environment.

Add a sighting to the NatureMapr or visit the Canberra Birds website.

Walking tracks

Grassy Plains walk

Distance: 8 km return

Time suggested: 3 hours

A pleasant walk through one of the ACT's most significant remnant Natural Temperate Grasslands. The track commences from the Callum Brae Nature Reserve car park, emerging from the woodlands into the open grassy plains. Birdwatching is best early in the day, when you may also be lucky enough to see spectacular morning mist views.

Adult Grassland Earless Dragon amongst grass.

Things to do

Activities

Features

NO BINS – take your rubbish with you
Walking track/s

Restricted or prohibited

Aircraft landing/take-off prohibited
Bicycles including mountain bikes prohibited
Camping prohibited
Chainsaw use prohibited
Dogs prohibited
Domestic animals (other than dogs) prohibited
Off-road driving prohibited
Driving on management trails prohibited
Drone use prohibited
Fires prohibited
Wood and timber collection prohibited
Horses prohibited
Metal detector use prohibited
Trailbikes prohibited except on public roads

Ngunnawal Country and People

Jerrabomberra West Grasslands Nature Reserve is located on Ngunnawal Country, an ancient and diverse landscape managed and cared for by Ngunnawal people for tens of thousands of years. For time immemorial Ngunnawal people have maintained a tangible and intangible cultural, social, environmental, spiritual, and economic connection to these lands and waters.

Jerrabomberra Valley grasslands were likely frequently burnt to maintain levels of fresh, green growth to attract animals for hunting and to provide open country for travel. Jerrabomberra Valley is known to be an Aboriginal pathway through the landscape leading towards the Alps.

Jerrabomberra West Grasslands Nature Reserve protects 4 known Aboriginal heritage sites listed in the ACT Heritage Register, being the physical (archaeological) traces of the area's rich Aboriginal history. These include stone artefacts, occurring individually and in scatters on the surface, and areas likely to contain buried archaeological deposits. The reserve is likely to contain further, as-yet-unrecorded, Aboriginal heritage sites.

All Aboriginal places and objects in the ACT are protected under the Heritage Act 2004 and must not be disturbed. Aboriginal places and objects within reserves are additionally protected under the Nature Conservation Act 2014. Anyone finding an (unregistered) Aboriginal object or place has an obligation to report it to the Heritage Council.

European heritage

Europeans began grazing livestock in the Jerrabomberra Valley in the 1830s. Jerrabomberra West Grasslands Nature Reserve and adjoining land were claimed by Francis Mowatt in 1832. Mowatt sold the land to Dr James Fitzgerald Murray in 1837 who named the homestead and surrounding area 'Woden', after the Norse god.

Woden Homestead and its environs are one of the earliest rural properties on the Limestone Plains (now Canberra). Established in 1832, it is one of the oldest remaining homesteads continuously occupied and managed as part of an agricultural enterprise in the region. The Campbell family (who owned the property 'Duntroon') owned the land from 1871 until 1922. Between 1840 and 1852, it was the home of Mrs Anna Maria Bunn, author of the first novel published by a woman in Australia, in 1838.

Jerrabomberra West Grasslands Nature Reserve had a long history of continuous grazing – predominantly sheep grazing – before it became a reserve. Pastoral management practices in the native grasslands to the north of Woden Homestead have ensured the survival of endangered species and ecosystems.

The 'Callum Brae' precinct (part of the private property, as distinct from the nature reserve with the same name) and the Woden Homestead and environs are heritage-listed sites and remain private properties. Woden Homestead is not open to the public.

The reserve was established in 2007.

Before you go/How to get there

Before you go

Prepare by understanding safety and checking alerts.

Respect Canberra Nature Park reserves by:

staying on the tracks to minimise your impact
taking your rubbish home with you
leaving what you find, including plants, animals, rocks and timber (dead and alive)
respecting our heritage - leave cultural sites undisturbed
collecting and responsibly disposing of your dog's droppings (where dogs are permitted)
cleaning your outdoor gear, including bicycles, to avoid spreading weeds and disease

Remember:

bring your own drinking water
carry a mobile phone, especially if you are on your own
let someone know where you are going and when you'll return
be bushfire alert - on total fire ban days some reserves may be closed

How to get there

Jerrabomberra West Grasslands Nature Reserve is located on the Monaro Highway, accessible by footpath through Callum Brae Nature Reserve.

Access points are limited and there are few management trails in the reserve. This is in line with the National Recovery Plan for the Grassland Earless Dragon, which recommends restricted access and limited visitor usage for the reserve.

Parking is available at Callum Brae Nature Reserve to the north-west, in Narrabundah Lane, Symonston.

Boundary mapping is indicative only.

More information

If you notice any issues during your visit:

report maintenance issues to Access Canberra
report vandalism or other illegal activities to the police on 131 444
in an emergency, call 000

Find out about:

In a life threatening emergency dial Triple Zero (000)

triple zero 000

5124 0000

6201 6111

1800 629 354

6205 1065

13 11 26

5124 9977

(02) 6205 1700

1800 022 222

13 25 00