Where to Ride

Canberra has so many beautiful areas to enjoy by bicycle, you really are spoilt for choice. Below you’ll find just a few that the Cycle Canberra team recommend you try.

Lake Burley Griffin Loop
One of my favourite rides is the loop around the central and west basins of Lake Burley Griffin. I have always ridden clockwise but I don’t think it really makes much difference.

Length: approx 26km’s
Duration: 2 – 3hrs at a leisurely pace.
Difficulty: moderate

Starting at Commonwealth place I head west past the National library and International flag display. Just on your left near the library is the peace memorial. A little further along right on the lake edge is the Australian of the year walk.

As you head under Commonwealth Avenue Bridge you will get a view of the National Museum and during the warmer months lots of sailing boats enjoying the lake. The cycle path heads past lennox gardens and the Hyatt hotel before turning west again passing the yacht club. From here you start to feel the essence of the bush capital as the scenery changes from iconic buildings to bush. The path follows the lake before passing Yarrowlumla and Weston park.

The Oaks Brasserie http://www.yarralumlagallery.itgo.com/ is always a welcome stop. Sitting under the trees enjoying a coffee in winter or ice chocolate in summer.

If you have young children a ride up into Weston Park for a ride on the miniature railway or playground is always a good choice.

From Weston Park you continue to head west passing through more trees across a bridge and up a small hill to the entrance gates of government house. Pass here and down along hill and you will pass the viewing area for Government house. Kangaroos are often spotted on the Governor General’s lawn. Cross over Scrivener Dam pass the National Zoo, well worth a stop if you have time. Just up the hill you pass through the Historic Cork plantation. The cycle track then heads past Yarramundi Reach before heading back towards the city.

Again the children may like to play on the playground at Black Mountain Peninsular. If not cycle on by. At Sullivans creek come up onto the road bridge and follow the signs for the city. Just before the National Museum veer left and follow the path around west basin. The cycle path follows the lake under Commonwealth Avenue bridge and heads through Commonwealth park towards the Carrillion. A coffee stop at Maria’s coffee van is welcome break on weekends. Then head up and over King’s Avenue Bridge. Cross the road and head past the art gallery back to your start point.

Canberra centenary trail

The Centenary Trail is a 145 kilometre self-guided, non-motorised loop trail for walkers and touring cyclists that showcases Canberra and takes users on a journey between urban and rural environments past iconic sites and hidden treasures.

The Centenary Trail is divided into daily sections, spaced for walkers and bike riders. Users are able to join or leave the trail in many locations.

The Centenary Trail is:

• a seven day walk, averaging just over 20 kilometres per day or
• a three day ride, averaging just over 45 kilometres per day.

The trail is designed to be accessible for as many walkers and cyclists as possible. It follows fire trails, walking tracks and shared paths in urban and natural areas and is open to everyone. The trail is designed for low intensity use by all walkers and cyclists of moderate ability and is generally less than 10 percent gradient. Centenary Trail maps showing the full trail alignment as well as general information about the trail, are available from:

https://www.environment.act.gov.au/parks-conservation/parks-and-reserves/find-a-park/rural/canberra-centenary-trail