The gates are finally being thrown open to many of the ACT's parks and reserves closed over summer due to bushfires and dry conditions.
This will includes parts of the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve which was hit by fires, then floods. However, a key attraction to the south of the territory, the Namadgi National Park where January's Orroral Valley fire originated, remains closed.
Environment Minister Mick Gentleman said the areas of the nature reserve which will be re-opened include the playground and the Gibraltar Peak walking track.
"Western parts of the reserve, including the eucalypt forest and sanctuary will remain closed while our team work to fix key infrastructure," he said.
Both the northern and southern recreation areas and the walking trails around the popular Googong Foreshore will be reopened on Saturday however, the public boat ramp at Drumstick Point will be closed due to lake's low water levels.
The Namadgi National Park's visitors centre, which was a hub of many firefighting organisational efforts during the Orroral Valley bushfire, is being made safe for public access, as is the Bimberi Wilderness Area.
"We will be working over the coming months to remove dangerous trees and fix key infrastructure to enable Namadgi National Park to reopen," Mr Gentleman said.
A ban on open flames remains in place across all ACT Parks and Conservation Service areas until the end of March 2020, with the exception of Cotter campground.
Sites now open include:
- Bullen Range Nature Reserve (west of the River only)
- Stony Creek Nature Reserve (west of the River only)
- Gigerline Nature Reserve
- Lower Cotter Catchment
- Rob Roy Nature Reserve
- Blue Range Forest
- Pierces Creek Forest
- Hyles and Sherwood Forest
- Ingledene Forest
- Uriarra Forest
