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The
Sanctuary Loop allows visitors at Tidbinbilla to be up close and personal with a range of native animals in their natural habitat. The 2.5 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
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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
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enclosure and conservation scheme was developed which has significantly contributed to the survival of the endangered species. In 1969 the first wildlife displays were created. David oversaw the importation of
Victorian koalas to the park, the establishment of kangaroo enclosures and the creation of
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The
Congwarra trail is ideal for families. It is a 3–4 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. The playground design is inspired by the Tidbinbilla Valley and blends
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This moderate to hard level walking trail is 8.2 km long and will take approximately 2–3 hours to complete. 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
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The
Birrigai Time Trail is an easy 3 km walk that takes visitors back in time to explore the local Aboriginal and European heritage. Birrigai is the Ngunnawal word for laughter. This trail is a predominantly flat walk that starts at the Visitor Centre and ends at the Birrigai Rock Shelter.
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The name
Tidbinbilla is derived from the Aboriginal word 'Jedbinbilla' meaning a place where boys become men. The last corroboree, an Australian Aboriginal dance ceremony, held at Tidbinbilla was circa 1904. There are aboriginal rock paintings to be found at Gibraltar Peak in a small cave.
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1988 saw one of the world's first international TV satellite linkups "World Safari" be broadcast from
Tidbinbilla's kangaroo enclosure. The ABC linked up with fellow broadcasters across the globe in a live natural history program, which was an idea from David's daughter, Fiona Kerr.
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enclosure was built by the
Institute of Anatomy. The government acquired additional land to establish a national park and fauna reserve in 1962, extending the national park to 36.29 square kilometres (14.01 sq mi). Tidbinbilla was later expanded again to its current size.
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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.
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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. While they are interesting to look at it is important that visitors do not touch or disturb these wild animals.
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Since 2011, Tidbinbilla has taken the charge of breeding of the critically endangered Northern Corroboree Frog, the Southern Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby and the Eastern Bettong on behalf of the ACT Government. It has been successful in the endeavour over the years.
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Known sites of Aboriginal significance at Tidbinbilla include the Birriagi Rock Shelter, which is the oldest Aboriginal site within the Australian Capital Territory. Bogong Rocks is a shelter where the oldest evidence of Aboriginal occupation was found at a
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The nature reserve consists of a large valley floor, the Tidbinbilla Mountain and the Gibraltar range. The sides of the valley are steep and relatively undisturbed. The lower slopes of the valley are partly cleared and have a significant history of
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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. Artefacts have been found at the shelter dating back 25,000 years.
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The walk takes visitors past early European settler sites and remains which date back to the late 1800s. 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.
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In 2003, bush fires devastated the nature reserve with many of the koala population being lost to the fires. The Manager's Residence was also lost and there was damage to the Heritage listed Rock Valley and Nil Desperandum homesteads.
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is a historic four-roomed residence alongside Hurdle Creek first occupied by Henry French Gillman. The remains of a commercial camellia plantation and the best preserved eucalyptus distillery in the ACT are also nearby.
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of 18 January 2003, resulting in the loss of countless numbers of wildlife. Of the captive animals, only one koala, six rock wallabies, five potoroos, four freckled ducks, and nine black swans survived the bushfire.
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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.
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In 1966 the park saw the appointment of park ranger and later manager, David Kerr. He developed many of the bush walking tracks, enclosures, water fowl areas and roads throughout the park. Under his management the
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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.
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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 are seen along the trail.
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Aboriginal people have inhabited the Tidbinbilla area since antiquity. Archaeological digs at Birrigai, over the hill from Tidbinbilla, found the earliest evidence of the use of fire,
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the water fowl areas. Many of the picnic areas enjoyed by generations of visitors were established under his management. David left Tidbinbilla in 1970 to oversee the foundation of
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and European use. Tidbinbilla Mountain is believed to have been used for Aboriginal initiation ceremonies. The word 'Tidbinbilla' is Aboriginal in origin and comes from the word
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was later occupied by George Greens daughter Elsie Jane and her husband Eric Blewitt from the early 1930s to the early 1950s when Eric was killed drenching a horse.
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Boot, P and Bulbeck, D. 1991. Tidbinbilla nature reserve cultural resource survey and conservation plan, ACT heritage unit and ACT Parks and Conservation, Canberra
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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.
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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.
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This walk starts at the Flints BBQ area in Tidbinbilla and is 2.5 km long. It is an easy walk designed for low intensity exercise.
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Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve has a wide variety of bushwalks - ranging from 30 minutes to over 6 hours. It is a native habitat for
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260:. This was at the time of the last ice age. Excavations at Hanging Rock has dated occupation of that site to some 16,000 years.
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Department of Urban Services and Conservation. 1999. Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve: Management Plant. Environment ACT
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In 1936 about 8.10 square kilometres (3.13 sq mi) were set aside as a public reserve. In 1939 a
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buildings built in the 1890s. Both buildings were built by George Green and George Hatcliff.
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into the surrounding environment in an effort to preserve the park's natural beauty.
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873:"New dating shows 25,000 years of history at Birrigai rock shelter in ACT"
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child friendly pathway winds through a series of interconnected habitats.
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There are over 100 years of European occupancy within the nature reserve.
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Eastern grey kangaroo along the Gibraltar Peak Trail in the Reserve
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Canberra/Tuggeranong and Country ACT#Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
639:. Australian Government - Department of the Environment. 2014.
633:"Terrestrial Protected Areas in ACT (2014) (see 'DETAIL' tab)"
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Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
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The Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is located adjacent to the
969:"Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve - Canberra: European History"
231:. It is the traditional Country of the Ngunnawal people.
999:"Church Rock Heritage Loop - Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve"
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On 7 November 2008, the nature reserve was added to the
906:"Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve - Canberra: Walking Trails"
1028:"Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve - Canberra: The Sanctuary"
795:"Tidbinbilla – Aboriginal Connections to Tidbinbilla"
585:
List of Australian Capital Territory protected areas
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In 1971 the nature reserve was officially gazetted.
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Nature reserves of the Australian Capital Territory
711:"Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve - Canberra: Recreation"
177:is a 54.5 square kilometres (21.0 sq mi)
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821:"Birrigai Time Trail - Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve"
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1058:"Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve - Canberra: Wildlife"
572:rugged bushland to the Gibraltar Peak viewpoint.
848:"Background Information Birrigai Rock Shelter"
18:Protected area in Australian Capital Territory
506:Birrigai is the Ngunnawal word for laughter.
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663:"Australian Alps National Parks information"
296:Homestead was occupied by the Green family.
1222:Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves
1119:"Take a hike: Gibraltar Peak | The RiotACT"
375:Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves
311:buildings were severely damaged during the
349:Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex
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741:"Tidbinbilla Nature Discovery Playground"
595:Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex
250:Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex
1164:Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve Official Site
373:as one of eleven areas constituting the
185:. Tidbinbilla is a short drive from the
936:"Grass Trees - Bush Heritage Australia"
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224:The nature reserve is classified as an
693:"Endangered Species Breeding Programs"
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879:from the original on 12 November 2017
697:Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve - Canberra
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1212:Protected areas established in 1971
946:from the original on 12 August 2018
783:from the original on 13 March 2018.
132:54.5 km (21.0 sq mi)
860:from the original on 3 April 2017.
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1227:Australian National Heritage List
371:Australian National Heritage List
213:– a place where boys become men.
1217:1971 establishments in Australia
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1088:"Gibraltar Peak | VisitCanberra"
673:from the original on 30 May 2012
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143:Territory and Municipal Services
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871:Osborne, Tegan (4 April 2016).
643:from the original on 7 May 2015
614:Australian Alps National Parks
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797:. 10 May 2013. Archived from
319:History of the nature reserve
1176:travel guide from Wikivoyage
612:Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve,
199:Australian Capital Territory
165:Australian Capital Territory
30:Australian Capital Territory
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1186:Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
229:Category II protected area
175:Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
154:Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
70:Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
25:Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
534:Church Rock Heritage Loop
258:dated at 20,000 years old
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466:Landscape with kangaroos
280:Homestead are both pise
940:Bush Heritage Australia
454:Platypus in the reserve
313:2003 Canberra bushfires
1062:tidbinbilla.act.gov.au
1032:tidbinbilla.act.gov.au
973:tidbinbilla.act.gov.au
910:tidbinbilla.act.gov.au
846:ACT Heritage Council.
767:"Discover Tidbinbilla"
715:tidbinbilla.act.gov.au
430:Eastern grey kangaroos
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105:35.46306°S 148.91333°E
339:Namadji National Park
309:Rock Valley Homestead
248:Tidbinbilla with the
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183:Namadgi National Park
1188:at Wikimedia Commons
619:22 July 2012 at the
138:Managing authorities
110:-35.46306; 148.91333
501:Birrigai Time Trail
181:, on the fringe of
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1064:. ACT Government.
1034:. ACT Government.
975:. ACT Government.
912:. ACT Government.
776:. ACT Government.
717:. ACT Government.
356:Deep Space Network
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240:Indigenous history
1184:Media related to
523:Xanthorrhoea Loop
514:Turkey Hill Trail
334:Cape Barren goose
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187:capital city
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1123:The RiotACT
774:Tidbinbilla
294:Rock Valley
278:Rock Valley
219:bogong moth
211:Jedbinbilla
121:Established
108: /
96:148°54′48″E
83:Coordinates
1196:Categories
1133:23 October
1102:23 October
1072:23 October
1042:23 October
1009:23 October
983:23 October
950:23 October
920:23 October
883:23 October
831:23 October
805:23 October
751:23 October
725:23 October
637:CAPAD 2014
601:References
207:Aboriginal
93:35°27′47″S
407:lyrebirds
395:wallabies
391:kangaroos
197:, in the
191:Australia
1127:Archived
1096:Archived
1066:Archived
1036:Archived
1003:Archived
977:Archived
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877:Archived
855:Archived
825:Archived
778:Archived
745:Archived
719:Archived
671:Archived
641:Archived
617:Archived
579:See also
399:platypus
307:and the
195:Canberra
161:See also
677:10 June
550:place.
235:History
149:Website
403:koalas
858:(PDF)
851:(PDF)
781:(PDF)
770:(PDF)
385:Fauna
325:koala
303:Both
1135:2018
1104:2018
1074:2018
1044:2018
1011:2018
985:2018
952:2018
922:2018
885:2018
833:2018
807:2018
753:2018
727:2018
679:2010
649:2015
411:emus
353:NASA
292:The
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