Urambi Hills Nature Reserve

For after hours urgent public health matters including environmental health, radiation safety, food poisoning and communicable disease management phone:

1800 022 222

ACT State Emergency Service

Emergency help
during flood or storms

Urambi Hills Nature Reserve is a 246-hectare protected area on the southern edge of Kambah. The reserve's ridgetop provides great views across Tuggeranong, the Murrumbidgee River and the Bullen Range just beyond.

Urambi Hills Nature Reserve adjoins the Bullen Range Nature Reserve to the west, so is connected with all the reserves of the Murrumbidgee River Corridor. McQuoids Hill and Cooleman Ridge nature reserves are nearby to the north, accessible along the National Trail.

A small section of the reserve near its western boundary, as well as a large adjoining section of Bullen Range Nature Reserve, are on leased land and closed to the public. Access to these areas is restricted to the lessee and people authorised by the lessee.

Cycling is only permitted on management trails and on the Centenary Trail.

Horse riding is permitted only on the National Trail, which passes through the reserve from its south-eastern to north-western corners, mainly on the Kambah (northern) side.

Dogs are permitted on-leash on a track or trail only.

Natural values

Urambi Hills Nature Reserve protects:

rocky areas supporting a large population of the vulnerable Pink-tailed Worm-lizard (Aprasia parapulchella)
critically endangered Yellow Box–Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland over about 60% of its area (though some is not pristine)
habitat for threatened and declining woodland bird species

Friends of Urambi Hills ParkCare undertakes volunteer environmental activities in the reserve.

Urambi Hills Nature Reserve is protected under the Nature Conservation Act 2014. Thank you for taking care of the natural environment.

Add a sighting to the NatureMapr or visit the Canberra Birds website.

Things to do

Activities

Features

Dogs on-leash
NO BINS – take your rubbish with you
Walking track/s

Restricted or prohibited

Aircraft landing/take-off prohibited
Camping prohibited
Chainsaw use prohibited
Domestic animals (other than dogs) prohibited
Off-road driving prohibited
Driving on management trails prohibited
Drone use prohibited
Fires prohibited
Wood and timber collection prohibited
Metal detector use prohibited
Trailbikes prohibited except on public roads

Dogs are permitted on-leash on a track or trail only
Cycling is only permitted on management trails and on the Centenary Trail
Horse riding is permitted only on the National Trail
A small section of the reserve near its western boundary, as well as a large adjoining section of Bullen Range Nature Reserve, are on leased land and closed to the public

Ngunnawal Country and People

Urambi Hills Nature Reserve is located on Ngunnawal Country, an ancient and diverse landscape managed and cared for by Ngunnawal people for tens of thousands of years.

For time immemorial Ngunnawal people have maintained a tangible and intangible cultural, social, environmental, spiritual, and economic connection to these lands and waters.

The ACT Heritage Register lists 3 Aboriginal heritage sites within Urambi Hills Nature Reserve. The reserve likely includes other, as-yet-unrecorded Aboriginal heritage sites.

All Aboriginal places and objects in the ACT are protected under the Heritage Act 2004 and must not be disturbed. Aboriginal places and objects within reserves are additionally protected under the Nature Conservation Act 2014. Anyone finding an (unregistered) Aboriginal object or place has an obligation to report it to the Heritage Council.

European heritage

Evidence of earlier farming activity in Urambi Hills Nature Reserve can be seen at the site of 'Ingleburn' (later known as 'Urambi') homestead, when entering from the western junction of Learmonth Drive and Meredith Circuit in Kambah. An interpretive sign at the site provides information. Gerry and Mary Sheehan worked this property from 1926 until 1958. Wheat and oats were planted, and sheep and cattle pasture improved with introduced phalaris and clover. Under 2 further lessees cattle were grazed and bred on the property until the land was resumed in 1977 for suburban development.

The remnants of an old building can be viewed on the northern bank of Tuggeranong Creek. The former Kambah refuse tip was located near the reserve's western border.

Urambi Hills Nature Reserve was established in 1993.

Before you go/How to get there

Before you go

Prepare by understanding safety and checking alerts.

Respect Canberra Nature Park reserves by:

staying on the tracks to minimise your impact
taking your rubbish home with you
leaving what you find, including plants, animals, rocks and timber (dead and alive)
respecting our heritage - leave cultural sites undisturbed
riding safely and following trail etiquette as a horse rider
riding safely and following trail etiquette as a bicycle rider
collecting and responsibly disposing of your dog's droppings (where dogs are permitted)
cleaning your outdoor gear, including bicycles, to avoid spreading weeds and disease

Remember:

bring your own drinking water
carry a mobile phone, especially if you are on your own
let someone know where you are going and when you'll return
be bushfire alert - on total fire ban days some reserves may be closed

How to get there

There are several access points in Kambah.

Boundary mapping is indicative only.

More information

If you notice any issues during your visit:

report maintenance issues to Access Canberra
report vandalism or other illegal activities to the police on 131 444
in an emergency, call 000

Find out about:

In a life threatening emergency dial Triple Zero (000)

triple zero 000

5124 0000

6201 6111

1800 629 354

6205 1065

13 11 26

5124 9977

(02) 6205 1700