Narrabundah walk directions
Summary
Extensive off leash parks, a huge green playing field, and pretty wooded tracks make this inner Canberra walk a local favourite. The route links together most of eastern Narrabundah's off leash parks into an easy, mainly flat, 4 km loop. There are three off leash ovals to enjoy, little creeks to explore, and a stunning secret path through a thick stand of mature oaks. Two short on leash sections explore old Narrabundah streets. Beautiful, tall deciduous trees make this walk a good choice in summer and a real stunner in autumn. The walk starts and ends at the little Narrabundah shops at Iluka Street where there are public toilets, a small supermarket, several restaurants and cafés, free parking and bins.
Start/Finish - Narrabundah shops, Iluka Street
Time/Distance - Allow 75 minutes/approx 4 km
Off lead rating - ♥♥♥
Parking - Along Iluka Street and Boolimba Crescent
Dog friendly café - several cafés with outdoor tables at the shops
Public toilets - Adjacent to Iluka Street parking
Bins - At the shops and Errol Kavanagh Oval carpark
Distractions - None
Playgrounds - Adjacent to Wambool Street
Photo gallery - See photos taken on the Narrabundah walk.
Note - All our dog walks assume you are a responsible dog owner with an obedient and well-socialised dog. See our Important Stuff page before starting any of our walks.
Map
Use the navigation tools to zoom in or out for different views of the route or click on the 'view larger map' icon on the top right hand corner of the map to view in google maps.
Directions
Narrabundah shops to Errol Kavanagh Memorial Oval (10 minutes)
1. From the corner of Iluka Street and Boolimba Crescent at the Narrabundah shops, cross over Boolimba Crescent to reach a small park. Follow the concrete path straight ahead across the park to reach a little street (Bareena Street) partially hidden behind thick shrubs. At the street, walk straight ahead to join a concrete footpath on the left-hand side of the street.
The little Narrabundah shops has an excellent IGA supermarket, several restaurants and cafés with dog friendly outdoor tables, public toilets on Iluka Street, plus bins for any poo bags.
2. At the end of Bareena Street, turn left (onto Lumeah Street) and follow the footpath, crossing one street, until a four-way intersection (with Tallara Parkway). Turn left into Tallara Parkway, then cross immediately over to the other side of the street so you are following the footpath on the right-hand side.
This short section through quiet streets illustrates the mix of original and modern housing typical of Narrabundah.
3. Once on the right-hand side of Tallara Parkway, continue on the footpath a short distance until it terminates. You'll see a pedestrian footpath heading right between the houses. Turn right here to follow the path downhill to reach another street (Goyder Street). Turn left on Goyder Street for a few metres, then cross over to reach a street entering a verdant and extensive playing field (Kyeema Street).
Errol Memorial Kavanagh Oval (10 minutes)
4. Follow Kyeema Street straight ahead and then left to reach the playing field (the Errol Kavanagh Memorial Oval). If no formal sports are being played, take the opportunity for a leisurely stroll around the oval. Otherwise, skip the oval and continue at direction no. 5.
Off leash opportunity at the oval.
This playing field is very well protected and defined by high fencing on one side, and thickly wooded little creeks on the other three sides. As well as the open space, your dog might enjoy some serious exploring along, and into, the creeks. You could easily spend up to 10-15 minutes here wandering a large loop around the creek perimeters (Mill Creek).
There are several bins along the railing between the oval and the gravel carpark/road.
5. Once you're ready, back-track to the playing field entrance at the corner of Kyeema and Goyder Streets.
Errol Kavanagh Oval to Wambool Street (30 minutes)
6. As you approach the intersection of Kyeema and Goyder Streets, just after passing the creek, turn hard right to follow a faint dirt track which closely follows the other side of the creek. Continue following this track keeping the creek on your right and Goyder Street on your left.
Off leash opportunity starts here.
While this pleasant long park is off leash, take care your dog doesn't wander too close to Goyder Street. However, after a few minutes, the park widens and the track veers well away from the road.
Dogs love this stretch - the little creek and reedy grasses further along provide lots of scent stimulation.
7. Continue following the narrow dirt track as it veers a little away from the creek and meanders through some tall, attractive deciduous trees, until you reach a wide concrete footpath.
Note: Unfortunately this section parallel to Goyder Street has become overgrown following several years of neglect. In avoiding the proliferation of weeds and tree suckers, it is sometimes necessary to walk closer to the street than previously, and therefore it may be safer to keep your dog on leash along the latter part of this section.
Off leash opportunity ends while on the footpath.
8. Follow the footpath for approximately 100 metres along the edge of a large pond filtration system (part of Jerrabomberra Creek), making sure to keep the pond on your right.
There is a covered picnic table with benches and information boards along the footpath.
9. Look out for a distinctive line of very tall poplars up ahead. When the footpath reaches this tree line, veer left off the footpath to walk through the line of poplars and reach a large open grassy field.
Off leash opportunity starts again on the other side of the poplars.
This large field (Mill Creek Oval) is bordered by beautiful trees on three sides, the continuation of Jerrabomberra Creek on the right, and a street (now Matina Street) on the left. Rather than cross straight over it, as directed below, you may wish to spend a bit more time here and check out the concreted section of Jerrabomberra Creek. Many dogs love a little paddle here - there is steep but easy access for dogs down into the shallow channel on the oval side, and a dog-proof high, sheer wall on the highway side.
10. Wander straight across the field towards a set of wire cricket bowling nets. Once you reach the wire nets, continue straight ahead to exit the field, passing the nets on your right and over a little drainage channel. Walk through the grass close to the stand of tall deciduous trees on your right, keeping Matina Street at a distance on your left. You'll shortly reach a dirt track with big concrete blocks across it.
11. This dirt track will take you through some trees. When it branches, take the right fork which leads to a road bridge (Canberra Avenue) crossing over Jerrabomberra Creek. At this point, the track will veer slightly left before diving deep into a thick, tall stand of oak trees. Follow this glorious, leafy soft track running between Narrabundah houses on the left and busy Canberra Avenue on the right.
In autumn this route is simply stunning. While the track through the oaks appears close to Canberra Avenue, the oaks and spikey undergrowth help deter off leash dogs from wandering near the road. Nevertheless, do keep an eye on your dog along this section.
12. As you emerge from the deepest part of the oak tunnel parallel to Canberra Avenue, you will notice several access points to Narrabundah streets on the left. You'll need to leave the dirt track to turn left into one of these streets further along: either count the street access points and take the third or fourth one; or, at the point where you are approaching a cross road straight ahead, take the next of these streets to the left. If chosen correctly, it will be one of the two ends of Wambool Street which is shaped like a 'U'.
Off leash opportunity ends before entering Wambool Street.
Don't worry about missing this left turn. If you continue walking straight ahead and reach a road bisecting the dirt track, just back-track a short distance to the first street leading into the suburb.
Wambool Street to Narrabundah shops (15 minutes)
13. Walk a short distance along the street to a four-way intersection (with Matina Street). Cross Matina Street and continue straight ahead following Wambool Street. Continue until the street curves left (or right, depending which end of Wambool Street you entered). At the middle of the curve (bottom of the 'U' shape), look for the bitumen footpath in between the houses. Follow the footpath to reach another park with a children's playground on the right.
If you look right as you enter the park, you'll see a large, unkempt oval just past the playground. This oval is an off leash area where you could spend some additional time. There are often friendly locals walking around this oval - both human and canine.
If you have children in tow, they may enjoy some time at the playground. Note your dog must be kept off the playground when in use.
14. Turn left, away from the playground, to follow the bitumen footpath through a narrow park bordered by the back fences of houses. Continue on the footpath, ignoring the first path branching right, but take the second path branching right (just after the preschool) to reach a quiet street (Anembo Street).
15. Turn left when you reach Anembo Street and follow it as it curves right. At the t-junction with another street (Kootara Crescent), cross straight ahead to reach the Narrabundah shops, Iluka Street, and your starting point.
If you'd prefer to join one of our regular guided group walks, find out more at our guided walks page.