Molonglo Reach District Park

WARNING: The Molonglo Reach water-ski area has been temporarily closed due to risks associated with the movement of a sandbar in the area. A temporary closure has been put in place until further notice.
The ACT Government‘s primary concern is, and will continue to be, public safety at the Molonglo Reach ski area. The area will remain closed while investigations are carried out.
This action has been taken in accordance with Section 21 (1) of the Lakes Act 1976.

This warning issued on 29 November 2011 and remains until further notice.

• Molonglo Reach Riparian Restoration

A place to appreciate the Molonglo River

• Location
• Facilities
• History
• Linking the historic Duntroon homestead to the river
• Designed as a parkway entrance to the Federal Capital
• A park to enjoy the quiet waters of the Molonglo river
• Reference

Location

Off Morsehead Drive, opposite Duntroon.

• A map showing Inner South Canberra with the location of Molonglo Reach District Park marked.

Facilities

Barbecues, picnic tables, public toilets, and waterski embarkation bays.

Molonglo Reach Water Ski Area

WARNING: The Molonglo Reach water-ski area has been temporarily closed due to risks associated with the movement of a sandbar in the area. A temporary closure has been put in place until further notice.
The ACT Government‘s primary concern is, and will continue to be, public safety at the Molonglo Reach ski area. The area will remain closed while investigations are carried out.
This action has been taken in accordance with Section 21 (1) of the Lakes Act 1976.

This warning issued on 29 November 2011 and remains until further notice.

The ACT Government has completed a comprehensive clean-up of this area to remove floating and underwater debris which posed a safety hazard. The debris had been washed into the river from major storm events.
However this is a ‘living’ river system and while measures are in place to monitor for submerged and floating debris, water conditions can change daily. Water users must watch out for hazards.  If a hazard is identified, the area should be avoided and the hazard reported to Canberra Connect on 132281. 

Power boats and associated uses are now permitted within the Main Basin area up to a buoy line situated above the top boat ramp. Due to the size of the available area the number of powerboats permitted on the Molonglo Reach Water Ski area has been reduced to five (5) power boats per session.  

Alternative water ski areas

Nearby to Canberra a number of locations provide for water skiing opportunities, such as Lake Burrinjuck State Park NSW, the Clyde River and Lake Jindabyne.

For more information contact Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.

History

Molonglo Reach is a narrow strip of riverside parkland between the Molonglo River and the Royal Military College, Duntroon. For many visitors arriving in the National Capital through Canberra Airport, the drive along Molonglo Reach is a much enjoyed introduction to Australia's most famous garden city. The area provides opportunities for people of all ages to appreciate a quiet reach of the Molonglo River. The river's name is of Aboriginal origin. Picnic areas have been provided and good access to the bank of the river is available.

Linking the historic Duntroon homestead to the river

The second European settlement established at the Limestone Plains in the 1820s was adjacent to the present day Molonglo Reach. The Duntroon estate, named by its founder Robert Campbell, fronted the Molonglo River. The naming is derived from Campbell Castle in Argyllshire in Scotland. A short distance north of this reach of the river Campbell built Duntroon House, the main homestead of the estate. Commenced in 1832 and subsequently extended, the homestead and its garden remain to the present day. They are listed by the National Trust of Australia (ACT) and entered into the Register of the National Estate.

In 1910, as the development of the federal capital commenced, the Royal Military College was established in the vicinity of the homestead, which became the Officer's mess. It remains so today.

Further development of the federal capital in the 1960s, led to the construction along the river reach of Morshead Drive and its adjacent parkland. This broke the link between teh river reach of Morshead Drive and its adjacent parkland. This broke the link between the estate and the river, which was important to Campbell when he established Duntroon 140 years previously. Morshead Drive is named for Lieutenant-General Sir Leslie Morshead (1889-1959), who commanded the 33rd Battalion AIF 1916-1919, and the 9th Division of World War II.

Molonglo Reach is included in the National Trust of Australia (ACT) listing of the foreshores of Lake Burley Griffin.

Designed as a parkway entrance to the Federal Capital

Molonglo Reach was designed and developed by the National Capital Development Commission in the early 1960s. Park facilities were added later. The informal planting design emphasised the need to soften the visual impact of the Royal Military College and to provide pleasant views to the river and places for recreation. The emphasis is on the use of deciduous species, with poplars, oaks, elms and willows dominating. Some pines have been used. Mixed species of eucalypts and wattles have been used particularly on the boundary of the area with the Royal Military College.

The design ensured access to the river for picnicking and other riverside recreational activities, including fishing and canoeing. The water is not suitable for swimming. The cyclepath along the reach connects with the park encircling Lake Burley Griffin.

A park to enjoy the quiet waters of the Molonglo river

Molonglo Reach is a well protected riverside park with an attractive landscape. It is known for its autumn colours. It is popular for family and large group gatherings and for those wanting to fish or canoe. It is a favourite spot for landscape painters. The river attracts birdlife and platypuses have been reported there.

During a visit to this pleasant area reflect on the lives of the early settlers last century and on the use of the river by Aboriginals for many centuries before that.

Reference

Gray, J (1997) The Historical and Cultural Background of Selected Urban Parks in Canberra - Volume 2.