Uriarra Loop & Shepherd's Lookout Hike (7.8km)

The Uriarra Loop and Shepherds Lookout walk offers a rewarding 7.8-kilometre journey, classified as moderately challenging, within the Uriarra Crossing Recreation Area. This loop trail, taking roughly 2.5 hours to complete, unfolds near Canberra's outskirts and follows the Murrumbidgee River downstream.

The hike begins at Uriarra East picnic area, where you'll embark on the Uriarra Loop. After crossing the Molonglo River, the path ascends towards Shepherds Lookout, offering glimpses of Black Cypress Pines along the way. The lookout itself rewards hikers with stunning views of the Murrumbidgee River, a perfect spot to appreciate the surrounding landscape.

Shepherds Lookout holds historical significance as the ACT's northernmost viewpoint of the Murrumbidgee River. The power lines spanning the river mark the border between the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales. Evidence of Aboriginal habitation in the area dates back thousands of years, with hundreds of stone tool scatter sites found in the Murrumbidgee and Molonglo River catchments. The Ngunnawal people thrived along these waterways, utilizing them for water, food sources like fish and yabbies, and water birds.

The deep river pool below Shepherds Lookout provides a vital habitat for the elusive platypus and native fish species, including the endangered Macquarie Perch and Murray Cod. The Black Cypress Pines, identifiable by their winged seeds protected in woody cones, favor the thin rocky soil in this area and are a favorite food source for Gang-Gang Cockatoos.

While exploring the trail, you might also come across remnants of the past, like trees planted in the 1970s to rehabilitate areas used for constructing the nearby Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre.

The Uriarra Loop trail presents a diverse landscape, featuring small rocky cliffs, sections close to the river, River Oak forests, and open grazing country. It's important to note that with the exception of designated off-leash areas like Stockdill Drive leading to Shepherds Lookout, dogs are not permitted on the walking tracks within Uriarra Crossing.

Some of the key highlights of this hike include the panoramic views from Shepherds Lookout, the natural beauty of the Murrumbidgee River, and the chance to connect with the rich Aboriginal history of the region.