Length: 1.2km
Duration: 45mins
Grade: 2
Style: Return
Start: Stockdill Drive Car Park
End: Stockdill Drive Car Park
Location: Uriarra Crossing
Closest Town: Canberra
Distance from CBD: 22km
State: ACT
Latitude: -35.2439106
Longitude: 148.9519705
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2WD Access
4WD Access
Public Transport
Bitumen Road
Gravel Road
Steep Road
Winding Road
Speed Bumps
Vehicle Ford
Entry Fee
Large Car Park
Small Car Park
Accessible Parking
Accessible Toilet
Public Toilets
Drinking Water
Untreated Water
Picnic Shelter
Picnic Table
BBQ Facilities
Campfire Pit
Camping Area
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Concrete Path
Timber Boardwalk
Gravel Path
Sandy Trail
Rough Trail
Undefined Trail
Prams & Strollers
Manual Wheelchair
Motorised Wheelchair
Bicycle Trail
Mountain Bike Trail
Historic Rail Trail
Dog Friendly
Urban Walk
Coast & Beach
Historic Lighthouse
Waterfalls & Lakes
Rainforest Walk
Goldfields & Mining
Heritage Walk
Aboriginal Art
Alpine Region
Alpine Huts
Exposed Ledges
Rock Scrambling
Steep Terrain
Bush Bashing
River Crossings
Scenic Viewpoints
Well Marked
Drinking Water
Untreated Water
Fishing Spots
Swimming Spots
Overnight Campsites
Trail Running
Horse Riding
Hike Summary
Start at the parking area 3km from the last traffic island on Stockdill Drive. Walk through Woodstock Nature Reserve to Shepherds Lookout for an impressive view along the Murrumbidgee. The ACT border, 3km downstream, is marked by power lines over the river. Dogs are allowed on a lead.
Shepherds Lookout - History
Named after nearby property owners, Shepherd’s 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 1970’s 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.
About the region
Uriarra Crossing
Uriarra Crossing and Swamp Creek are located in a 2km area, close to where Uriarra Road crosses the magnificent Murrumbidgee River, and are accessed off the Uriarra Road. They are great spots for shady river-side picnicking. On hot summer days you will find many Canberrans enjoying the easy access to the river, lovely swimming spots and picnic areas. On cooler days you can light a fire in one of the many wood-fired barbecues and enjoy the views of the Murrumbidgee. Fishing and canoeing are also popular activities. Or take one of a range of short walks along the river, including walking up to the confluence of the Molonglo and Murrumbidgee Rivers.
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.
Getting there
Start at the parking area 3km from the last traffic island on Stockdill Drive. Walk through Woodstock Nature Reserve to Shepherds Lookout for an impressive view along the Murrumbidgee. The ACT border, 3km downstream, is marked by power lines over the river. Dogs are allowed on a lead.
Shepherds Lookout - History
Named after nearby property owners, Shepherd’s 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 1970’s 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.
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