Trail Fast Facts
Kambah Pool to Pine Island is a 9km, grade 3 hike in the Murrumbidgee River Corridor, Australian Capital Territory. This hike typically takes 3 hours to complete.
Hike Overview
The Kambah Pool to Pine Island section of the Murrumbidgee Discovery Track offers a scenic and enjoyable 9km journey, perfect for both walkers and mountain bikers. This moderate track winds its way through native forest and farmland, taking you above the spectacular Red Rocks Gorge, a highlight of the Murrumbidgee River.
A designated lookout provides breathtaking views of the gorge, allowing you to fully appreciate its natural beauty. As you continue, you'll carefully cross Tuggeranong Creek before reaching a historic dry-stone wall, a testament to the area's rural past built in the 1860s.
The path is mostly flat with a few gentle inclines, making it a comfortable trek. Be prepared to encounter a couple of gates, some left open and others requiring you to climb over them.
Starting your exploration at Kambah Pool allows you to experience the diverse river habitats firsthand. Take in the magnificent river views from various vantage points and keep an eye out for the resident wombats that call Kambah Pool home. Birdwatchers will also be delighted by the area's diverse birdlife. Watch for large flocks of Yellow-faced Honeyeaters migrating in late autumn, or if you're lucky, you might even spot a Peregrine Falcon soaring near Red Rocks Gorge, the fastest bird on Earth.
Murrumbidgee Discovery Track Sections
Casuarina Sands to Kambah Pool (14km)
Kambah Pool to Pine Island (9km)
Pine Island to Point Hut Crossing (4km)
Track Grade
Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.
Tips
- Kambah Pool gates have closing times: 6pm to 8am in winter and 9pm to 8am during daylight saving time.
- No bins are available, so please take all rubbish home with you.
- Dogs are not permitted on this section of the track. For dog-friendly recreation areas along the Murrumbidgee River, head to Uriarra Crossing, Murrays Corner, or Point Hut Crossing.
Map and GPX file
Max elevation: 579 m
Min elevation: 525 m
Total climbing: 247 m
Total descent: -241 m
Trail Location (trailhead)
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Getting there
For those with a car, reaching Kambah Pool is easy. The drive from central Canberra takes about 30 minutes. Simply head south on Kings Highway (A23) for roughly 18 kilometers, keeping an eye out for the Kambah Pool turnoff on your right. Take this turn onto Kambah Pool Road and follow it for 2 kilometers until you arrive at the car park.
Photo gallery
If you have any photos from this hike and are happy to share them, please upload your .jpg files here.
Please note: Uploading photos does not transfer ownership of copyright away from you. If requested, you will be credited for any photos you provide and can ask they be deleted at any time.
About the region
The Bullen Range Nature Reserve and the Murrumbidgee River Corridor offer a captivating natural escape within the Australian Capital Territory. The Bullen Range, with its wild landscapes crisscrossed by hiking trails, is a haven for native Australian wildlife and a paradise for hikers. Trails cater to all levels, with the Murrumbidgee Discovery Track section here being a popular challenge for experienced trekkers, rewarding them with breathtaking river vistas. Meanwhile, the Murrumbidgee River Corridor itself stretches for roughly 66km, a ribbon of nature rich in Aboriginal and European heritage.
Over 370 Aboriginal heritage sites and historic European locations can be found alongside the river, making it a place steeped in history. The corridor is also a recreational playground, perfect for bushwalking, camping, picnics, birdwatching, and enjoying water activities like swimming, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. Together, the Bullen Range Nature Reserve and the Murrumbidgee River Corridor offer a stunning combination of natural beauty, historical significance, and outdoor activities for Canberrans and visitors to explore.
Remember, the Bullen Range falls within the larger Murrumbidgee River Corridor, so you'll find the reserve nestled alongside the river. Be sure to check for any closures, especially around Red Rocks cliff in the Bullen Range, which might occur during wildlife breeding seasons.
Explore Safe
While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.
Let someone know
Adventure with peace of mind: Fill out your trip intentions form. Before you hit the trail, fill out an online form to privately send important details about your hike to your family or friends. If you don’t return on time, they can easily alert emergency services, preventing worry and ensuring a swift response. Hike with peace of mind and enjoy your outdoor adventure to the fullest. Be smart, be safe: Register your plans here.
Gear to consider
What you carry in your pack will depend on the weather, terrain, time of year, type of adventure, and personal preferences. Having trouble deciding what gear’s right for you? My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.Â
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Acknowledgement of Country
Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.