Canberra Tracks – Self Drive Heritage Trails

The ACT Pioneers Cemetery Heritage Trail represents an exciting phase in the growing appreciation of the importance of burial grounds to the Canberra region’s heritage. This self drive tour will take you to churchyards, large urban cemeteries, pastoral plots and solitary graves. Much can be learned about Australia’s society by looking at tombstones and their inscriptions. Hardships of early farming families, the high infant mortality rate, Aboriginal burial, artistic styles and symbolism can all be revealed through cemeteries and burials.

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The Gungahlin Heritage Trail provides many sites that reveal previous uses in the newer suburban development. Aboriginal and pastoral sites abound, but Gungahlin is also host to many reserves, grassland and parks. This self drive trail includes walks and a bike ride from Yerrabi Ponds to and into Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve. From 100 year old border markers to historic villages, homesteads, an ochre ground and scarred trees – come and discover Canberra’s heritage.

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Discover Ngunnawal Country on this self-drive Aboriginal heritage track. In traditional times this area was a meeting place where the Ngunnawal welcomed and hosted mobs from the surrounding area to discuss land, lore and culture. Some used the mountains for ceremonial purposes such as initiation, marriage and trading resources.

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Vacant suburban blocks have stories to tell. Take the Belconnen Heritage Trail and learn about ‘Belco’s’ life before European settlement, before the national capital, then after recent building.

Start with a cycle around Lake Ginninderra then into the town centre. Visit sites of homesteads, the border, an unmarked burial ground, student residences and a walk or ride up Gossan Hill.

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The Limestone Plains Heritage Trail leads you to a land explored and colonised by convicts and free immigrants before Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth were established. Discover this pastoral era at some of Canberra’s most significant historic sites. These include Duntroon Dairy, Blundells Cottage, St John’s Church, Government House Lookout, Lanyon Homestead, Calthorpes’ House and Old Parliament House.

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Connect great hilltop views on the Looking at Canberra Heritage Trail. Read about Canberra’s most important planning feature. Discover how the city, suburbs and towns are placed within the landscape rather than enforcing a grid structure. Tour Australia’s purpose-built capital city, still in the making.

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As the first satellite town centre of the ACT to be developed, Woden suffered from demolition of much of the evidence of its pastoral history. The Soldier Settlement Scheme post World War I is a strong theme here as well as innovative developments at Swinger Hill and Callam Offices. On the Woden Heritage Track you will discover geology, nature and learn about one of Canberra’s few earlier primary industries—forestry.

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Set with the stunning background of the Brindabella Mountains, Tuggeranong has an eclectic heritage for you to explore. Take the Tuggeranong Heritage Track and see the south side border, a schoolhouse, church and other pre-ACT buildings made from wood, stone, brick or pise.

Visit sites once dominated by the grand like Kambah homestead, or the humble like Urambi homestead. The World Wars also weave their presence in this once remote valley.

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