11 August 2011

Nine things to do outdoors in Canberra

| johnboy
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Australian Geographic has this very day published a list of things to do outdoors in Canberra.

Sadly the list includes riding a Segway by the lake, which, as has been the subject of furious multimedia discussion, has been banned by the fun police and Australia’s archaic and exceptional approach to personal electric vehicles.

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p1 said :

My random googling seemed to suggest they were talking about some where near the Lunar Laser Rangefinder. The commercial groups certainly wouldn’t be walking all that far, yet Orroral Valley was clearly mentioned.

Or on second thoughts, it’s probably that rubbish down along the river behind the Greenhills happy clappers camp, on Cotter Road.

chris820 said :

Or possibly on the other side of Orroral Valley. On Lunar Laser Rocks.
Named after the nearby Lunar Laser Rangefinder.
Lunar Laser would be more friendly for first-time abseilers compare to Tower Rocks.

My random googling seemed to suggest they were talking about some where near the Lunar Laser Rangefinder. The commercial groups certainly wouldn’t be walking all that far, yet Orroral Valley was clearly mentioned.

p1 said :

After a little googling I am not much closer to an answer about where “Cotter Rocks” are, other then to say there are not Baroomba. It seems from descriptions that they are one of the outcrops on the western side of Orroral Valley, but naming seems a little variable. Most of the hits google found were to bushwalking websites, the climbing websites make no mention.

The actual ‘Cotter Rocks’ (that I know of) are out near Split Rock.
Around here.
A fair decent walk (along the Australian Alps walking track), and not a place you’d want to take a group of abseiling bumblies on a half-day outing.

There are a bunch of outcrops up along the top of Orroral Ridge that do see some Commercial Abseiling activity. In particular, Tower Rocks
Around a minute walk from the old tracking station Comms tower carpark, above the Honeysuckle Campground.

Or possibly on the other side of Orroral Valley. On Lunar Laser Rocks.
Named after the nearby Lunar Laser Rangefinder.
Lunar Laser would be more friendly for first-time abseilers compare to Tower Rocks.

Henry82 said :

wildturkeycanoe said :

Well, this list is only really 3 things to do in Canberra.

The actual article says “around canberra”, not “in canberra”

I think the “in Canberra” in the title was changed after the post was made – the link says in not around:

http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/10-things-to-do-outdoors-in-canberra.htm

wildturkeycanoe said :

Well, this list is only really 3 things to do in Canberra.

The actual article says “around canberra”, not “in canberra”

Keijidosha said :

Given the level of investment and spruking you’d have to assume the arboretum would top the list of outdoorsey things in Canberra. Odd that such a national icon and doesn’t even rate a mention in the NG list.

The arboretum will take a good number of years to develop before it’s up to that sort of standard. Once it is established, I wouldn’t doubt that it will have a similar status as the Botanic Gardens.

Given the level of investment and spruking you’d have to assume the arboretum would top the list of outdoorsey things in Canberra. Odd that such a national icon and doesn’t even rate a mention in the NG list.

p1 said :

KB1971 said :

Where are “Cotter Rocks”? Do they mean Booroomba Rocks?

After a little googling I am not much closer to an answer about where “Cotter Rocks” are, other then to say there are not Baroomba. It seems from descriptions that they are one of the outcrops on the western side of Orroral Valley, but naming seems a little variable. Most of the hits google found were to bushwalking websites, the climbing websites make no mention.

I know the ones, they are at the top of the dirt road that goes from Honesuckle Creek but i would have thought they were on the northern side though. Mmmm, I cannot ever remember seeing the signs describe them as “Cotter Rocks” though…..

Stabbing people at the Charnwood shops is always a popular family activity.

KB1971 said :

Where are “Cotter Rocks”? Do they mean Booroomba Rocks?

After a little googling I am not much closer to an answer about where “Cotter Rocks” are, other then to say there are not Baroomba. It seems from descriptions that they are one of the outcrops on the western side of Orroral Valley, but naming seems a little variable. Most of the hits google found were to bushwalking websites, the climbing websites make no mention.

Jethro said :

Are they aware that the birdwatching boxes at the wetlands are more commonly used for, er, other purposes?

Accommodation for homeless people possibly? 😉

Are they aware that the birdwatching boxes at the wetlands are more commonly used for, er, other purposes?

Where are “Cotter Rocks”? Do they mean Booroomba Rocks?

wildturkeycanoe5:54 am 12 Aug 11

Well, this list is only really 3 things to do in Canberra. Hot air ballooning, downhill mountain biking and kayaking. The rest are either in Queanbeyan or in the Snowy’s or Brindabella ranges. If you are going to say things to do IN Canberra, then make sure they are IN Canberra.
Wee Jasper, Selwyn, Googong?? Why not mention Tumut? It’s closer than the snow fields and boasts mountains more fun than Googong, where you can’t camp or water ski. The Hume and Hovell walking track along Blowering dam is great for mountain bikers and pedestrians and there’s fishing aplenty around the area too. Go east and you’ve got the likes of Bungendore and Braidwood, which provide an hour or so of fun until you get to the coast where outdoor activities are much more abundant!
In Canberra, without having a bucketload of cash, there’s bugger all to do, just face it.

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