Tidbinbilla Range Travel Guide

 Kakapo2 Says:  Mosca vetutissima. This is the Latin name for the most annoying insect Australia has to offer. It is the bush fly - and it is also abundant in the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve in the hot months.As long as they sit on the backpack I would not mind them... Only if I were... 

 Kakapo2 Says:  Although there are a lot of picnic grounds in the Tidbinbilla Reserve I would not suggest to drive there just for lying in the sun and having a BBQ. You should really want to walk a bit - and if you only make one or two of the short and easy walks.Ten walks are on the list:... 

 Kakapo2 Says:  From the Visitor Centre a formed, tar-sealed road leads through the Tidbinbilla River valley. (Can't remember how long it was...) I would call it a "lasso road". The first part is the access to a loop road.There are carparks at the start of all tracks, and toilets at the... 

 Kakapo2 Says:  The drive from Canberra starts in a not very spectacular way, but soon you reach hilly landscapes, lonesome roads, forests and a nice lake. The loneliness was amazing.At the time we travelled, at the end of 2005, you could still see the consequences of the massive bush fires... 

 Kakapo2 Says:  The combined Xanthorrhoea Loop Trail and Gibraltar Trail to the Gibraltar Rocks are a highlight of a day in the reserve.You walk through landscapes of huge grass trees and big marble-shaped rocks, and the higher you get, the more spectacular the views over the Tidbinbilla... 

 Kakapo2 Says:  Of course, we stopped at Lucky the Koala's enclosure to have a look at this amazing marsupial that was the sole captive survivor of the 2003 bushfires. It was very moving to see this poor devil with her big scars, and you wonder a bit why they keep animals in capivity so far... 

 Kakapo2 Says:  Not only on the coast, also in the mountains the weather can change quickly. So either be prepared to run fast - or carry rain gear (not only food and lots of water) and search shelter.When we were surprised by thunder and lightning in the open land of the Birrigai Time... 

 Kakapo2 Says:  They sell those funny hats with dangling corks in Australia but they do not really help against the pest of bush flies. I have once tried a personally invented silk ribbon wrap, and this worked very well. Just wrap a silk ribbon loosely over your hat and head, and they have... 

 Kakapo2 Says:  Ok, ok... They do not spend their whole day staring at you. Sometimes the kangaroos hopped away although we had tried hard in every single case to communicate well with them. So don't be disappointed if they get other ideas while you would enjoy to have a chat with them. Two... 

 Kakapo2 Says:  The kangaroos you see in the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve are Eastern Grey Kangaroos. They are the typical kangaroos of areas that have more than 250mm of annual rainfall. Its preferred food is grass, and it grazes from late afternoon to early morning. So it is really best to... 

 Kakapo2 Says:  Ok - this should just become a walk into history, as this loop trail passes an Aboriginal Rock Shelter and European sites. There are great comprehensive signs, informing you about the things you should have an extra look at.But it quickly became a fantastic wildlife watching... 

 Kakapo2 Says:  We were quite happy that we did not see all the animals you can see in the wetlands. Theoretically they are home to snakes - and I am horrified of those silent gliders...Our main goal had been to spot a platypus - but we were not lucky with this either. Platypus is a very...