Uriarra Loop is a 3.5km, grade 2 hike located in the Uriarra Crossing, Australian Capital Territory. The hike should take around 2.5 hrs to complete.

Length: 3.5km

Duration: 2.5 hrs

Grade: 2

Style: Return

Start: Uriarra East Picnic Area

End: Uriarra East Picnic Area

Location: Uriarra Crossing

Closest town: Stromlo

Australian Capital Territory

From state capital: 15km

Longitude: 148.9519705

Latitude: -35.2439106

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Hike overview

From Uriarra East picnic area, follow the Murrumbidgee River downstream towards its junction with the Molonglo River. The trail then follows the Molonglo River upstream, returning 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 grows here as well as the unusual Anchor Plant (Discaria pubescens).

Shepherds Lookout - History

Named after nearby property owners, Shepherds Lookout is the ACT's northern-most viewing point of the Murrumbidgee River. The power lines spanning the river mark the border between the ACT and New South Wales.

Hundreds of stone tool scatter sites in the area are evidence that the Ngunnawal Aboriginal people have lived in the Murrumbidgee and Molonglo catchments for thousands of years. The river provided water as well as fish, yabbies and water birds. The first Europeans to the area came in search of the Murrumbidgee River in 1820. On the opposite bank, there was a sand mining venture that operated until the early 1980s. Behind it lies the Retallick rural lease, one of the first properties in the area.

The deep river pool below provides important habitat for platypus and native fish including the endangered Macquarie Perch and Murray Cod. Black Cypress Pines, Callitris endlicheri, grow here on thin rocky soil. Their winged seeds are protected in tough woody cones and are a favourite food of Gang Gang Cockatoos.

The adjacent Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre was built in the 1970s and is the main wastewater treatment facility for Canberra. Trees along the Shepherd's Lookout Loop were planted in the 1970s to rehabilitate a road and temporary workshed sites associated with the construction of the centre.

Route and GPX file

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Tips

Dogs are welcome at the river and picnic areas, however we ask that you don’t take them on the walking trails.
Toilet facilities are provided.
No bins are provided - please take your rubbish home with you.

For more information, a location map and facilities please visit the ACT Government Information Portal.

Trail location

Getting there

Take the Uriarra Road from Weston Creek, or via Coppins Crossing and Belconnen. You can also walk from Shepherds Lookout which is accessible from Stockdill Drive in the suburb of Holt.

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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.