There’s no denying the views across the Ginninderry Corridor are breathtaking. From the rolling hills to the curves of the Murrumbidgee River, the nearby trails are constantly used by keen hikers and explorers reconnecting with nature. 

Now Ginninderry has developed another track allowing hikers to connect with the shores of the Murrumbidgee. It’s called the River Descent Track and is the first access point down to the Murrumbidgee River on the northside of Canberra in over 20 years. The track will be accessed from other existing tracks including the Woodland Loop, or the Nguurung Bila Loop. 

This new track will also see the addition of Jahli’s Lookout, named for Ginninderry‘s Caring for Country Team Leader and proud Wiradjuri and Ngunnawal man Tyson Powell’s son, Jahli, who is nearly one year old. It was a special moment for Tyson and his family when the Ginninderry Conservation Trust team suggested the lookout be named after Jahli. With the Lookout just a stroll away from a Stringybark tree where Tyson cut a coolamon –a shallow curved-sided dish – for his son, it made sense to the team that his family’s connection to Country was recognised in this way.

Coolamons have long been used by Indigenous Australians to cradle their babies, but also carry food, tools, and water. “If you go around Canberra, or pretty much anywhere around Australia, you’ll find old scar trees that are hundreds of years old.” Tyson says. 

“I cut my first one in my early 20s, and traditionally it would’ve been done all the time because it’s a pretty common item within our culture, and even though it leaves behind this big scar on the tree, the tree lives on just fine, it doesn’t affect it.” 

When reflecting on the significance of having a point along the track named after his son, Tyson thinks it’s pretty special – but the fact his son will be able to share his connection to the land is probably moreso. 

“When he grows up, Jahli can come out here and see this scar tree, it connects him to this place, to Jahli’s Lookout. It’s a good thing to see that our ancestors made these coolamons, and we’re still doing the same thing today and keeping the tradition alive.”

The track down to the river from Jahli’s Lookout zig zags across the slope and takes you to Retallacks Hole on the Murrumbidgee River. It’s a very popular fishing spot and home to many Murray Cod. If you’re not into fishing, then the serene rocky banks of the river are the perfect spot for a relaxing picnic, or a stroll over the rocks, and it’s just a 3.5 kilometre hike from The Link. 

So fill up your water bottle and pack the picnic basket, and check out Ginninderry’s newest addition, the River Descent Track, with stunning views from Jahli’s Lookout. For more information and to see a map of the tracks, head to the Ginninderry Conservation Corridor website.