Uriarra Crossing

Walking tracks

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Uriarra Loop

Distance: 3.5 km return
Time suggested: 2.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy

Large sections of this track are within Molonglo River Reserve and Woodstock Nature Reserve. Dogs are not permitted in these reserves, except on the Shepherds Lookout track from Stockdill Drive (an off-leash exercise area in Woodstock Nature Reserve).

From Uriarra East picnic area, follow the Murrumbidgee River downstream towards its junction with the Molonglo River. The trail then turns southward to follow the Molonglo River upstream, before returning westward through open grazing country. The steep Molonglo River gorge creates conditions that are different from the surrounding tablelands, allowing an unusually high diversity of plants. Mist trapped in the gorge acts like a protective blanket. The Pale Pomaderris (Pomaderris pallida), a nationally vulnerable shrub, and the unusual Anchor Plant (Discaria pubescens) grow here.

Shepherds Lookout can be accessed from the Uriarra Loop track via a footbridge across the Molonglo River. This side-trip (the Shepherds Lookout to Molonglo River Walk) is an additional 3.8 km return and climbs to the lookout, passing native Cypress Pines along the way. The lookout has magnificent views down the Murrumbidgee River to the NSW/ACT border.