There are many beautiful and rewarding hikes to enjoy in Namadgi National Park. It is one of my favourite places to explore. One of my recent adventures took me once again into the heart of Namadgi and along the Yerrabi Track.
Heading out from Canberra’s south along Tharwa Road has become familiar territory for me, however it never ceases to amaze me how lucky we are to have this incredible National Park just a few kilometres from the city. It’s about a 40 min drive to the Boboyan Trig carpark where the trail commences (detailed instructions below), and the drive is stunning. Winding up and around through the hills and with a dirt track to navigate for the last 7km, it is a bit of a case of are we there yet, however, it is all worth it in the end.
The carpark is small but clearly signposted from Boboyan Road. On the day of our adventure there were no other cars to be seen. The start of the track is also clearly marked and with a quick check of our supplies and an extra layer of sunscreen applied, we were off.
The first little bit of the walk takes you downhill which I always find a little disconcerting as it means you have to climb back up right at the end! Nevertheless it’s an easy to follow track through the lovely peppermint forest.
Next you will come to a low lying swampy grassland area which while dry at the time of our visit showed the usual tell-tale signs of past flooding. There is a little footbridge over the swamp which took me right across, out of the exposed sun and into the much appreciated shade of the gum forest.
Now the fun begins! The track starts to climb slowly but steeply up the mountainside. The track is made up mostly of rock shards so it was quite slippery at times. Careful footing is a must as well as deep breaths for it’s quite a tough climb. I will admit that I was still recovering from a nasty bug that struck me down earlier in the week therefore I did have to stop and catch my breath a number of times. It actually wouldn’t be too much of an exaggeration to say that I had to sit on a log at one point for fear of toppling over … Dramatics aside, it is a stunning walk and as you climb higher you start to get rewarded by glimpses of the views across the distant valleys.
As you make you way closer to the summit, the taller trees start to clear, making way for low shrubs and grasses. On the day of my adventure, a most welcome breeze was blowing in from the neighbouring mountains. It made me think that as much as I was appreciative of the sudden gusts of air at the time, in the cooler months the wind would likely have a nasty, icy bite to it.
At the peak of the exposed hilltop is Boboyan Trig. Nestled in a platform of rocks, its stands proudly enjoying 360 degree views of its surrounds. As incredible as the views from here are, I was about to be further spoilt. Behind the trig is a small track, signposted however little tricky to follow, that leads you to the real show stopper of the walk, the Granite Tors.
Having previously hiked to Gibraltar Peak and Square Rock, I already knew I was a great fan of natural rock formations that precariously protrude from mountainsides. I was again in absolute heaven reaching this stunning viewpoint.
After enjoying the beautiful sunshine and exploring around the rocks, it was time to head back down. It was slow going down the slippery sloped areas however being in no particular rush, it was well worth setting a slower pace and taking time to really appreciate how truly lucky we are to have such uninterrupted beauty upon our doorstop.
Quick facts:
Walking distance: 4km
Walking time: approx. 2 hours (allowing plenty of time for exploring the hill top and rocks)
Walking grade: Moderate
How to get there:
Boboyan Trig car park on Boboyan Road is located approx 35km south of the Namadgi Visitor Centre. As previously mentioned, the last 7km or so is dirt road however the road is in pretty good condition so I was easily able to navigate in my little car. To reach the car park, Follow Nass Road past the Visitor Centre and turn on to Orroral Road. Another left from Orroral Road onto Boboyan Road takes you to the signposted park on your right.
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