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Tallaganda State Forest

WALK IT! RUN IT! EXPERIENCE IT!

1. Lowden Forest Park & Water Wheel
Tallaganda State Forest straddles the Great Dividing Range and extends for a distance of around 50 km. The landscape ranges from dry, open woodland to vast forests of eucalypts. This is a great place to view a wide variety of gums; from scribbly gum, to brown barrel, messmate, peppermint, and ribbon gum. It's also home to a wide variety of native animals.

Hidden in a green fern gully in the forest is an old logging camp from the 1930's known as Lowden Forest Park. Remnants of the camp remain today and includes a water wheel once used to generate electricity for loggers located in this region. The park has ammenities such as toilets, wood BBQs, picnic tables and drinking water.

You can drive right into  Lowden Forest Park , and from there set out on two, easy, well-signposted walks. A pleasant way to spend a sunny afternoon!

  • Fern Gully Walking Trail
800 metres, 35 minutes, easy.
The Fern Gully walk winds its way down to Lowden Creek, the trail studded with fine native trees; brown barrel, messmate stringy bark, ribbon gum and narrow leaf peppermint.

  • Hopkins Pond
700 metres, 25 minutes, easy.
A climb up to the source of the water that drives the Water Wheel – follow it back down to the mill-pond which stores the water to work the Wheel.


Tallaganda Forest, located within close proximity to Queanbeyan and Braidwood, NSW.

Where? Tallaganda State Forest, NSW

How do I get there? Lowden Forest Park is in the middle of Tallaganda State Forest, about 40 km south-east of Queanbeyan and 60 km south-west of Braidwood. 

For a more detailed map of the area, we suggest the topographic map Bendoura 8826-4N.

How hard is it? Easy!


The historic Water Wheel located at Lowden Forest Park, Tallaganda State Forest, NSW.

Remnants of the old logging camp, Lowden Forest Park, NSW.

2. Mount Palerang 

Mount Palerang offers magnificent 360 degree views; to the east the Budawang Ranges  and Clyde Mountain, to the north-west Lake George , and on a very clear day you can even see as far as the water spout in Canberra's Lake Burley Griffin.

There is no formal track to the summit of Mount Palerang - you need to find your own path to the ridge top. About two-thirds of the climb is over rocky outcrops so take care, and remember to take food and water. Its also worth keeping in mind that the weather can change very rapidly here, so be prepared for all seasons.

A delighful, framed view through Eucalypt's on the climb up Mount Palerang, Braidwood, NSW.

Where? Tallaganda State Forest, Braidwood NSW.

How do I get there? From Braidwood take Bombay Road for 9 km, then turn right into Little Bombay Road. Continue for 4 km then turn left at the junction of Butmaroo and Mulloon Fire Trails. Continue along Mulloon Fire Trail for 5.5 km until you reach the junction of Palerang and Gourock Firetrails - this is the beginning of the walk.

Please note that the Mulloon Fire trail is a rough track, it is suitable for 2WD vehicles however after heavy rain you'll need a 4WD.

For a more detailed map of this area we suggest the Bombay 8827-3S topographic map.

How long is it? 1.3km climb; approximately 2 hours.

How hard is  it? A walk with moderate difficulty.


A golden sunset over Mount Palerang, NSW.
Trig Station located at the top of Mount Palerang, Braidwood, NSW.

Yet another stunning view from Mount Palerang, this time towards Jillamatong Mountain.


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