Shoreline Walk NSW (4.9 km)
Googong
Nearest Town
Googong via Queanbeyan
Starting Location
Foreshores car park, Googong
Finish Location
Foreshores car park, Googong
Best time to Travel
Year round
Shoreline Walk Summary
The Googong Shoreline Walk all is as the name suggests a walk that skirts the shore of Googong Dam before heading back to the car park in a loop. Over the past few years the dam water levels have been low so the trail itself is about 10-20 meters away from the current water level. The trail is well worn and not difficult to navigate and there are strategically placed signage, and seating where you need it. I would really love to come back and do this walk when we have had some heavy rain that has filled the dam back up to capacity as it would totally change the character of the walk itself.
As it was this 4.9km walk (the brochure says 4.0km) , is relatively easy with the first half being where most of the views are before you turn on to management road for the return leg. You do pick up some good views over the Goodong residential areas as well as back on to the lake on the return leg. Wildlife is reasonably limited on this walk with the only creatures we came across being the odd bird.
The Googong area is not well known as a hiking area in Canberra often being overlooked in favour of walks in Namadgi National Park, the Corin Dam region and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. In fact just to be clear Googong is actually located in NSW however as part of the main water supply for Canberra and the region is is under ACT management which is why when you look for information on this site it is on the ACT, rather than NSW website.
While we enjoyed this walk I wouldn’t rate it as spectacular by any means however what the Googong area lacks in high profile walks it makes up for being geographically closer for those living in central and North Canberra so if you want a walk with less travel involved than the walks in Namadgi or Tidbinbilla then this area may be for you.
One thing to note with this walk is that this is a gated walk and is usually open between 8:00am-5:00pm so remember this if you are close to those times you don’t want to get locked in at nighttime.
Do’s and dont’s. The Googong Dam is one of Canberra’s main water supplies so take care
Toilet facilities at the Foreshores car park
Trail head in the lake end of the lower car park
Walk start, the trail is either well formed walking track or management road
Views over the Googong Dam. there are a number of seats to sit and take in the views on the dam side of the walk
Trail example
The trail is easy to follow and swell sign posted
Taking in the views on one of the many seats on the first half of this trail
High tide mark. This dam hasn’t been full for a number of years but would be very different in a heavy rain year when the trail would be much closer to the water
The back half of the trail is on management road
Views into residential Googong
Bushland views
Follow the signage back to the car park
Views towards the lake as you head back towards the car park
Go though the gate and then head right down the bitumen road about 80 metres and the car park is on your right
Getting There
Google Map to the Foreshore car park at Googong. The start to this trail is approximately 30km from the Canberra City GPO
How to get There: Head through Queanbeyan then on towards Googong.
Turnoff to Googong
Turnoff to the Foreshore car park
Trail brochure box just as you get to the car park
The car park for this walk is huge catering for all recreational users
Things to Know
- Phone: There is variable signal on this track (Telstra)
- Water: You need to bring your own water although if you filter you can draw from the dam
- Toilets: There are toilets located at the trailhead car park
- Trail: This trail consists of formed track
- Dogs: No dogs allowed
- Camping: No camping allowed
- Other:
- Opening hours are 8:00am-5:00pm but check on the ACT Government website prior to going
- Although this area is managed by the ACT Government you are actually in NSW
Disclaimer
This walk was undertaken by the team from Australian Hiker