Majura Magic
Mount Majura presents the landscape entrance to the bush capital, framing the transition from the highway-in to Griffin’s Northbourne legacy. How often have you driven past and not gone in?
The Canberra Times rated the walk up Mt Majura as one of the top 5 ‘uphill’ walks in Canberra. So being here a decade now we figured we should make the effort to find a starting point and give it a crack.
More than a heart-starter, the Mt Majura walk (also part of the Centenary Trail) showcases the bush capital landscape, from far-reaching vistas to a variety of bushland types that together build the fabric of the landscape.
The walk begins in critically endangered Box Gum Grassy Woodlands – of decent condition but absent of much fauna (200 years ago one might have encountered echidnas, bettongs, red-necked wallabies) – and ascends through one of the most significant patches of habitat for Glossy Black Cockatoos in the region.
A corridor of Allocasuarina has been supplemented by recent habitat restoration efforts. Although none of the elusive birds were on show today it must be one of the closest and most accessible places to happen across them.
The crackle of the Cockie’s cones echo their recent presence… channeling Robert Macfarlane’s Landmarks – perhaps the bed of half chewed casuarina cones could be called a ‘chewbed‘.
A walk well-worth repeating in the hope of encountering the elusive Cockatoo.
Thanks Mr Lyrebird
Another great tip from you.
I would just like to add a little piece of trivia about the flanks of Mt Majura. It was where ‘Australia’ was ‘conceived’.
During the Second World War our Prime Minister John Curtin requested Australian troops be returned to defend Australia. Churchill said no, and that Curtin should think about the consequences of following through on his request. Curtin, mindful of the consequences of breaking with the Empire, disappeared for a couple of days to reflect on what he should do.
He spent that time wandering the trails of Mt Majura (maybe taking advice from the black cockatoos).
He returned to parliament and told Churchill to send Australia’s troops home. Some say this was the moment Australia came of age. And it began with a reflection on Mt Majura.
Regards
David
Great anecdote thanks David