Editing Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve (section)

== Walking tracks ==
There are a variety of walking trails which enable people to explore the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. There is a trail to suit all fitness levels and lengths of walks range from 30 minutes to 6 hours.

=== Congwarra Trail ===
The Congwarra trail is ideal for families. It is a 3–4&nbsp;km walk that will take visitors approximately 1 hour to complete. This trail starts at the Visitor Centre and leads to the Nature Discovery Playground and picnic area.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tidbinbilla.act.gov.au/experience/recreation|title=Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve - Canberra: Recreation|website=tidbinbilla.act.gov.au|publisher=ACT Government|access-date=2018-10-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024112917/https://www.tidbinbilla.act.gov.au/experience/recreation|archive-date=24 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The playground design is inspired by the Tidbinbilla Valley and blends into the surrounding environment in an effort to preserve the park's natural beauty.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.weekendnotes.com/tidbinbilla-nature-discovery-playground/|title=Tidbinbilla Nature Discovery Playground|access-date=2018-10-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024073805/https://www.weekendnotes.com/tidbinbilla-nature-discovery-playground/|archive-date=24 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Birrigai Time Trail ===
The Birrigai Time Trail is an easy 3&nbsp;km walk that takes visitors back in time to explore the local Aboriginal and European heritage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tidbinbilla.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/572288/Tidbinbilla-Map-and-Guide.pdf|title=Discover Tidbinbilla|publisher=ACT Government|website=Tidbinbilla|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313212523/https://www.tidbinbilla.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/572288/Tidbinbilla-Map-and-Guide.pdf|archive-date=13 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Birrigai is the Ngunnawal word for laughter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tidbinbilla.com.au/learn/tidbinbilla/indigenousculture/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510121517/http://www.tidbinbilla.com.au/learn/tidbinbilla/indigenousculture/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-05-10|title=Tidbinbilla – Aboriginal Connections to Tidbinbilla|date=2013-05-10|access-date=2018-10-23}}</ref> This trail is a predominantly flat walk that starts at the Visitor Centre and ends at the Birrigai Rock Shelter.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://canberramumsgroup.com.au/birrigai-time-trail-tidbinbilla-nature-reserve/|title=Birrigai Time Trail - Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve|access-date=2018-10-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024073757/https://canberramumsgroup.com.au/birrigai-time-trail-tidbinbilla-nature-reserve/|archive-date=24 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Birrigai is the Ngunnawal word for laughter.

The Birrigai Rock Shelter is the oldest Aboriginal rock shelter in the ACT. It is highly valued by the local Aboriginal community as it has a high level of cultural significance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.environment.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/696500/Background-Information-Birrigai-Rock-Shelter-ENDORSED-HCM-20150604.pdf|title=Background Information Birrigai Rock Shelter|last=ACT Heritage Council|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403094346/http://www.environment.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/696500/Background-Information-Birrigai-Rock-Shelter-ENDORSED-HCM-20150604.pdf|archive-date=3 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Artefacts have been found at the shelter dating back 25,000 years.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/specials/curious-canberra/2016-04-04/new-research-shows-human-occupation-in-act-extends-25,000-years/7288132|title=New dating shows 25,000 years of history at Birrigai rock shelter in ACT|last=Osborne|first=Tegan|date=2016-04-04|publisher=ABC News|access-date=2018-10-23|language=en-AU|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112095601/http://www.abc.net.au/news/specials/curious-canberra/2016-04-04/new-research-shows-human-occupation-in-act-extends-25,000-years/7288132|archive-date=12 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Turkey Hill Trail ===
This short trail is approximately 500m and will take visitors 15 minutes. Granite boulders and panoramic mountains surround this  as visitors make their way up to Turkey Hill. Drive from the Visitor Centre to the Dalsetta carpark to access the start of this trail.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tidbinbilla.act.gov.au/experience/recreation/walking-trails|title=Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve - Canberra: Walking Trails|website=tidbinbilla.act.gov.au|publisher=ACT Government|access-date=2018-10-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024073635/https://www.tidbinbilla.act.gov.au/experience/recreation/walking-trails|archive-date=24 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Xanthorrhoea Loop ===
Start this walk at Dalsetta carpark and follow the small brown signs that line the trail. This trail overlaps with the longer Gibraltar Peak trail.<ref name=":0" />

Xanthorrhoea Loop is named after the Xanthorrhoea group of 30 species of native Australian plants. This group of plants are commonly referred to as grass trees<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bushheritage.org.au/species/grass-trees|title=Grass Trees - Bush Heritage Australia|work=Bush Heritage Australia|access-date=2018-10-23|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812121721/https://www.bushheritage.org.au/species/grass-trees|archive-date=12 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> are seen along the trail.

=== Church Rock Heritage Loop ===
This walk starts at the Flints BBQ area in Tidbinbilla and is 2.5&nbsp;km long. It is an easy walk designed for low intensity exercise.<ref name=":0" />

The walk takes visitors past early European settler sites and remains which date back to the late 1800s.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tidbinbilla.act.gov.au/learn/tidbinbilla/european-history|title=Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve - Canberra: European History|website=tidbinbilla.act.gov.au|publisher=ACT Government|access-date=2018-10-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024073643/https://www.tidbinbilla.act.gov.au/learn/tidbinbilla/european-history|archive-date=24 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Explore the history of the Flints Homestead and Sheedy's Home Site as the path slowly winds up the hillside and loops around the reserve.

The slowly winds up the hillside and crosses over the main road that loops around the reserve. On the walk visitors will come across a bench that they can rest on while they take in the spectacular mountain views.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.weekendnotes.com/church-rock-heritage-loop-tidbinbilla-nature-reserve/|title=Church Rock Heritage Loop - Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve|access-date=2018-10-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024073721/https://www.weekendnotes.com/church-rock-heritage-loop-tidbinbilla-nature-reserve/|archive-date=24 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

After taking in the views of the Gibraltar Ranges there will be a short walk to the Church Rock. Diaries dating back to the 1800s indicate the bass of the rock was the meeting point for children to receive religious lessons. There is also evidence the local Aboriginal people used this rock as meeting place.<ref name=":1" />

=== Sanctuary Loop ===
The Sanctuary Loop allows visitors at Tidbinbilla to be up close and personal with a range of native animals in their natural habitat.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tidbinbilla.act.gov.au/experience/recreation/the-sanctuary|title=Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve - Canberra: The Sanctuary|website=tidbinbilla.act.gov.au|publisher=ACT Government|access-date=2018-10-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024112853/https://www.tidbinbilla.act.gov.au/experience/recreation/the-sanctuary|archive-date=24 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The 2.5&nbsp;km loop is easy and flat walk with well signposted with information about the local history and the native flora and fauna. The wheelchair accessible and child friendly pathway winds through a series of interconnected habitats.<ref name=":2" />

In the Sanctuary visitors will be able to get close to Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies, platypus, echidnas, birds, and other animals in their natural habitats.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tidbinbilla.act.gov.au/experience/wildlife|title=Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve - Canberra: Wildlife|website=tidbinbilla.act.gov.au|publisher=ACT Government|access-date=2018-10-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024112913/https://www.tidbinbilla.act.gov.au/experience/wildlife|archive-date=24 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> While they are interesting to look at it is important that visitors do not touch or disturb these wild animals.

=== Gibraltar Peak ===
This moderate to hard level walking trail is 8.2&nbsp;km long and will take approximately 2–3 hours to complete.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://visitcanberra.com.au/attractions/5975920f8765ed4134b0dbed/gibraltar-peak|title=Gibraltar Peak {{!}} VisitCanberra|website=VisitCanberra|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-10-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024073636/https://visitcanberra.com.au/attractions/5975920f8765ed4134b0dbed/gibraltar-peak|archive-date=24 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Starting at Dalsetta the trail passes through open grassland before it climbs to Eliza Saddle. After taking a short break at the picnic table here continue up the steep climb through rugged bushland to the Gibraltar Peak viewpoint.

As visitors ascend the boulders of the viewpoint they are able to take in 360-degree views of Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Canberra and Black Mountain Tower.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://the-riotact.com/take-a-hike-gibraltar-peak/155339|title=Take a hike: Gibraltar Peak {{!}} The RiotACT|last=Martin|first=Lisa|website=The RiotACT|language=en|access-date=2018-10-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024073719/https://the-riotact.com/take-a-hike-gibraltar-peak/155339|archive-date=24 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>