Molonglo Nature Reserve

Summary

This is a great nature reserve that is tucked-away between the Molonglo River and the Tuggeranong Parkway. You can see it on the left hand side as you drive to Woden or Tuggeranong, just past the Zoo.

There are no roads nearby, and no convenient parking areas, so it seems you have to hike in. Although the Tuggeranong Parkway runs along the side, there is a fence, and all the potential access gates are padlocked closed.

But once there, there are many great photographic locations.

It is primarily a pine forest, with a good pattern of trails for walking, horse-riding, and biking. There are even small bridges over creek beds to make it easier for the bike riders.

The forest extends South to the river. There is a crossing over the river that takes you to the Equestrian Centre at Yarralumla.

In the late afternoon there is a lot of dappled light coming through the tree cover. It would be a great place for misty forest scenes in Winter. It is particularly nice in Autumn as there are some deciduous trees scattered throughout the forest that turn a nice shade of orange.

There are no toilets nearby.

Last visited: May 2025

Location

The only convenient parking I could find was outside the National Zoo and Aquarium. There were about 8 parking spaces in total, so it might be a problem on public holidays.

To get to the reserve you have to follow the right-hand fence around the zoo. There is a path that takes you to the Reserve after about 500m.

Alternatively, there are a few car parking spaces nearer the dam, and you can follow the trail nearby that is parallel to the zoo. The last time I went I used this route and returned via the other, so I ended up going right around the zoo.