Australian Hiker

Nearest Town

Canberra

Starting Location

Dalsetta car park, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

Entry to the Dalsetta car park is well signposted. There are good facilities at the car park

The car park will comfortably take 40 cars but if you get there early enough you will usually have the place to yourself particularly in winter time

Finish Location

Dalsetta car park, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

Best Time to Travel

Year round

Turkey Hill Trail Review

The Tidbinbilla nature reserve caters for walkers of all fitness levels and this is where the Turkey Hill Walk comes in. The Dalsetta car park is an excellent site to spend the day and while the fitter more experienced walkers can tackle the longer 8.2 km Gibraltar Peak Trail or the relatively easy 2.3 km Xanthorrhoea Loop walking trails, the Turkey Hill Walk which starts at the same location at 670 meters in length, is aimed at younger children, or older / infirm walkers who don’t have the stamina for the longer walks. This is likely to be the shortest walk that I list on this website!

To get started head to the trail head sign located next to the toilet facilities and then start your walk by heading up the hill past the Turkey Hill sign. Follow the arrows up over the top of the Hill and loop around the summit before heading back down to the car park. This is a very easy walk and as short as it is there are some good views that while not as spectacular as the other walks in this area, are great for someone who wants a very easy walk. The trail itself is well marked and the majority of it is on cropped grass. As is the case with every other walk in Tidbinbilla, there are kangaroos everywhere, in this case at the start of the walk.

This walk will take the average person about 15 minutes to complete and while it won’t have the average hiker gushing with excitement, it is as I have said, a great walk for the very young or those needing something less challenging.

There are very good facilities at this car park including modern toilets

This water didn’t work on the day we took this photo. It’s best to bring your own water than rely on it here

Excellent picnic facilities exist at this car park so bring your lunch to eat on your walk or on return to your car

Interpretive sigange at the trail head explains the walk and others that leave from this area

The kangaroos at the start of the trail are very tame and are used to people but will hop away if you get too close

The trail starting sign. Follow the arrows which point up hill

Trail markers are placed as needed

Although this trail is very short, it still provides some good views for those who can’t manage the harder trails

Turkey Hill view down the valley

Bushy section on the way back

Almost back to the start

Getting There

The trip from the centre of Canberra is approximately 45 minutes and 45 km. Once you enter the nature reserve itself travel to the Dalsetta car park to start your walk. The car park is approximately 2 km from the visitor centre on your right and is clearly signposted.

The Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve contains a series of walks that are closer to Canberra than those at nearby Namadgi National Park. Many of the Namadgi walks, particularly those that go into the Bimberi Wilderness Zone, are more remote requiring a higher level of skill but with it a higher degree of seclusion whereas the Tibinbilla walks are easier to access but you are unlikely to be alone on the trail.

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve entry

Tidbinbilla Visitor Centre and boom gate. If you have an annual pass you can just swipe your card for access without having to enter the visitor centre

Things to Know

• Phone: There is good phone signal on this trail (Telstra)
• Water: While there is water as various stage in this reserve its best to bring your own. You need to bring your own water
• Toilets: There is a toilets at the trailhead
• Trail: This walk is essentially an open grassy surface
• Dogs: Dogs not allowed
• Camping: Not allowed on this walk
• Other: 
  • Bring adequate shade (hat, long sleeves etc) in the hotter months
  • No camping is allowed on this trail

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve requires a pass to enter with your car (with up to eight passengers). There are a number of walks that can be done from the carpark which means you can avoid the entry fee:

• The annual pass is $39.50 and if you plan on doing at least three visits over the year is the cheapest option
• A day pass is $14.50
• The reserve is accessible before the visitor centre opens so long as you walk in or have an annual pass. The visitor centre sells snacks if you need
• If you have an annual pass you can enter the park via the boom gate and scan your pass from as early 7:30am and you will need to be out by 6:00pm at the latest (8:00pm in summer). If you are buying a single entry into the park you will need to wait until the visitor centre opens at 10:00am (9:00am in the summer).

Prices as at 17 August 2022

Disclaimer

This walk was undertaken by the team from Australian Hiker

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