Bicentennial National Trail between Hawker and Strathnairn
In 1988 the National Horse Trail was rejuvenated and relaunched as the Bicentennial National Trail. The Bicentennial National Trail extends from Queensland to Victoria. A section of it passes through the ACT. It is not to be confused with the Canberra Centenary Trail which came later and is only in the ACT. The Bicentennial National Trail and the Canberra Centenary Trail alignments are at times in close proximity and cross. Both pass through The Pinnacle Nature Reserve in Hawker, Belconnen, but one on the north side and the other on the south side. This ride was predominately on the Bicentennial National Trail but a section was on the Canberra Centenary Trail.
We explored the Bicentennial National Trail in Belconnen by bike. We had a mountain bike and one touring bike with fat tyres. In the muddy conditions, the mountain bike is the better option. It was soggy and pays off the trail were slippery. Canberra does not get much rain though, so we must be grateful. We joined the Bicentennial National Trail at Hawker and rode through to the new suburb of Strathnairn in Belconnen’s far west. Many have never heard of Strathnairn. Strathnairn is part of the Ginninderry development that will one day extend into NSW.
This is a photo essay of the route with captions. Below you will also find a map of the route. I welcome your comments.
Tully Boundary Trail, The Pinnacle Nature Reserve, HawkerTully Boundary Trail, The Pinnacle Nature Reserve, HawkerTully Boundary Trail, The Pinnacle Nature Reserve, HawkerTully Boundary Trail, The Pinnacle Nature Reserve, HawkerTully Boundary Trail, The Pinnacle Nature Reserve, HawkerTully Boundary Trail, The Pinnacle Nature Reserve, HawkerTully Boundary Trail, The Pinnacle Nature Reserve, HawkerTully Boundary Trail, The Pinnacle Nature Reserve, HawkerTully Boundary Trail, The Pinnacle Nature Reserve, HawkerThe Pinnacle Nature Reserve, Hawker, BelconnenDowling Track, The Pinnacle Nature Reserve, Hawker, BelconnenBrindabella Range, Dowling Track, The Pinnacle Nature Reserve, Hawker, BelconnenDowling Track, The Pinnacle Nature Reserve, Hawker, BelconnenBicentennial National Trail, Springvale Track, The Pinnacle Nature Reserve, Hawker, BelconnenHorse style, Bicentennial National Trail, Springvale Track, Hawker, BelconnenSwing gate but bikes can squeeze through. A ramp up onto the verge is missing. Bicentennial National Trail, The Pinnacle Nature Reserve, Hawker, BelconnenBicentennial National Trail, Springvale Track, The Pinnacle Nature Reserve, Hawker, BelconnenBicentennial National Trail, Springvale Track, The Pinnacle Nature Reserve, Hawker, BelconnenBicentennial National Trail, William Hovell Drive behind the trees, The Pinnacle Nature Reserve, Hawker, BelconnenMud and water on Bicentennial National Trail, William Hovell Drive underpass, opposite Hawker, BelconnenBicentennial National Trail, past the William Hovell Drive underpass, opposite Hawker, BelconnenBike path beside the golf course, Pro Hart Avenue, approaching Strathnairn, West BelconnenConstruction blocking the bike path, new suburb of Strathnairn, West BelconnenBike ONLY path, Pro Hart Avenue, Strathnairn, West BelconnenBike ONLY path, Pro Hart Avenue swings right, Strathnairn, West BelconnenSegregated paths, the footpath on the left and bike only path, Pro Hart Avenue, Strathnairn, West BelconnenThis is how it should be done. Safe cycling with the “continuous verge treatment”, Bike ONLY path crossing cnr Ariotti Street and Pro Hart Avenue, Strathnairn, West BelconnenNew lake finally filling after the heavy rain behind a construction fence, Strathnairn, West BelconnenLeft turn here. Construction beside the Bicentennial National Trail, new suburb of Strathnairn, West BelconnenStraight ahead to Macgregor. Construction beside the Bicentennial National Trail, new suburb of Strathnairn, West BelconnenBad design cannot be fixed with a sign. The sign “Cyclist Dismount” is not correct. The ACT standard for safe cycling (MIS05) requires “continuous verge treatment”. A bike and car coming from the same direction will not see each other due to the trees. Southern Cross Drive, Macgregor, West BelconnenAerial view, Bicentennial National Trail between Hawker and Strathnairn
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