Dog Friendly Reserves on the Murrumbidgee River

Dog Friendly Reserves on the Murrumbidgee River

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Posted 2017-10-11 by Sue Wfollow
According to the RSPCA , 39% of Australian households have a dog as a pet. Being a dog owner means looking after its well-being, taking it for walks every day and giving it a varied and interesting lifestyle. If you have a bigger dog, then you may need some wide open spaces so they can go for a run and wear off some of that excitable energy. Thankfully, if you are a dog owner in Canberra there are many places to give them a run, with fenced dog parks located all around the city and a variety of leash and off-leash areas to choose from.

If your pooch likes to have a run and a splash, there are two reserves along the Murrumbidgee River where they are allowed to cool off in the water and really let go. Why not hop in the car, wind down the window and let those doggy ears flap all the way to the Murrumbidgee River - your dog is sure to be as happy as this one...





1/ Uriarra Crossing is a scenic picnic and river swimming area (for both humans and dogs), located less than half an hour from Canberra, via Weston Creek. This riverside area is the largest of the three options, with Uriarra Reserve East on one side of the river and Uriarra Reserve West on the other. Both sides have toilet facilities, picnic tables, plenty of areas for the dogs to have a runaround and sandy beaches to access the river. Just a short walk away is also Swamp Creek , which is another area that dogs can freely play. Please read the swimming warning signs as there are no lifeguards or rescue aids along the Murrumbidgee River. See East Reserve/@-35.2495315,148.9530525,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x866b68eceede6787!8m2!3d-35.2495315!4d148.9530525 here for a Google map and here for details. For a full article on Uriarra Crossing, see here .

* For a birds-eye view of the Murrumbidgee River, dogs are also allowed at Lookout/@-35.241413,148.977399,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xeb314b1fff9fce3e!8m2!3d-35.241413!4d148.977399 Shepherds Lookout , above Uriarra Crossing.





2/ Murrays Corner is a reserve located at a bend of Paddys River, which eventually joins up to the Murrumbidgee River. It can be found along Paddy's River Road ( Tourist Drive 5 ), just a short drive from The Cotter Recreation Area. Dogs are free to run off-leash around the Murray's Corner picnic area and large grassy reserve, however it is not a designated river swimming area. For the humans there are toilets and picnic tables, so you can stay longer and enjoy a picnic and relaxation time with the whole family. See Corner/@-35.3635621,148.952469,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xaf6ddcf580e415ec!8m2!3d-35.3635621!4d148.952469 here for a Google map and here for details.





3/ Point Hut Crossing is located near the suburb of Gordon, 25 minutes south of the city. This leafy reserve has both off-leash and leash areas, so ensure you read the signs carefully to determine where your pooch can play. For the humans, there are picnic tables and toilets at this reserve, so you can stay for awhile and take a picnic. Although dogs aren't allowed on the walking trails from the reserve, they are allowed to walk (on leash) to the Dog Exercise Area, a short walk up the river walking trail.

Each time I drive past Point Hut Crossing however, the most popular spot for people and their dogs is at a little swimming beach on the opposite side of the river - which is marked in yellow on the map as an "off leash" area. Here the dogs can cool off in the river and have a run on the sandy shores - and owners can take a dip too. See Hut Picnic Area, Australian Capital Territory 2901, Australia/@-35.4523466,149.0751842,18z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x6b17cae5b4978d8b:0xf00ea6f8b5736c0?hl=en-nz here for a Google map and here for details.

* Before going for a swim at Uriarra Crossing or Point Hut Crossing, check the latest updates on the water quality, with some places unsuitable to swim after heavy rain.





Canberra is a dog-friendly city, with plenty of things to do and places to go each weekend with your pooch. Locals love their dogs so much there are dog friendly cafes and pubs dotted all around the city and events for dogs such as the RSPCA Million Paws Walk ( May), A Pooch Affair (June) and Dogs Day Out at Floriade (October). Also check out this Vimeo clip below, from the ACT Government website , for more places to go around the Capital and the rules of doggy etiquette.

You won't find a happier pooch - than a Canberra pooch!



#parks
#outdoor
#near_canberra
#national_parks
#gordon
#dog_friendly
#swimming
#tuggeranong
%wncanberra
100222 - 2023-06-12 08:53:21

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