The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary

Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary offers a great selection of family-friendly hiking trails. Our guide features 11 routes, with 7 of them rated as easy and 4 as moderate, ensuring options for various ages and fitness levels.

The sanctuary is renowned for its critically endangered Yellow Box–Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland, providing a unique ecosystem to explore. You'll walk through open tree canopies and diverse understory plants. Keep an eye out for interesting geological features like volcanic and quartz ridges.

Yes, for families with young children, we recommend the Hackett Shopping Centre loop from St Margaret's Uniting Church. This easy route is just over 4.5 km, making it manageable for little legs. Another great option is the Hackett Trailhead – Hackett Shopping Centre loop from St Margaret's Uniting Church, which is an easy 6.2 km loop.

Beyond the natural beauty, Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary holds historical significance. Families can discover sites like the Old Coach Road and the Mulligans Flat Ploughlands, both listed on the ACT Heritage Register. There are also remnants of old huts and homesteads to spark curiosity about the past.

Absolutely! Mulligans Flat is a special place for wildlife conservation. It's a predator-proof enclosure where several locally extinct species have been reintroduced. You might be lucky enough to spot the Eastern Bettong, Eastern Quoll, or Bush Stone-Curlew. The Eastern Bettong, in particular, is an 'ecosystem engineer' whose digging helps rejuvenate the soil.

Many of the family-friendly trails in Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary are loops, which are perfect for avoiding backtracking. For an easy loop, consider the Hackett Trailhead – Hackett Shopping Centre loop from St Margaret's Uniting Church. If you're looking for a slightly longer moderate option, the Mount Majura Summit – Hackett Trailhead loop from Phillip Avenue offers over 11 km of varied terrain.

The sanctuary is open 24/7, allowing flexibility. However, spring and autumn generally offer the most pleasant weather for hiking with families, with milder temperatures and blooming wildflowers or vibrant foliage. Always check the weather forecast before heading out.

Yes, the Wildbark Visitor Centre, located on the edge of the sanctuary, is a fantastic resource for families. It features a cafe where you can grab a bite, and a nature playground for kids to enjoy. It also offers various activities and insights into the sanctuary's ecology.

The komoot community rates the trails in Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary highly, with an average score of 3.93 stars. Reviewers often praise the unique opportunity to see reintroduced wildlife, the peaceful woodland environment, and the well-maintained trails suitable for families.

Given the woodland environment and varying terrain, we recommend wearing comfortable, closed-toe shoes suitable for walking. Layered clothing is always a good idea to adapt to changing weather conditions, and don't forget hats, sunscreen, and plenty of water, especially during warmer months.

For families with older children looking for a bit more of a challenge, the sanctuary offers moderate routes. Consider the Mount Ainslie Summit Lookout loop from Hackett, which is a moderate 7 km hike with some elevation, offering rewarding views. Another option is the Hackett Shopping Centre – Mount Ainslie Summit Lookout loop from St Margaret's Uniting Church, a moderate 8.9 km route.