Part of the story of the climb -
The ascent was almost unnoticeable for the first kilometre or so as you passed by dried reeds that stood out in the backlight. The climb proper began as you reached the forest. Now it was a true hikers’ trail. Switchback after switchback until you reach a saddle between two mountains. Here there was a round table with bench seats and a sign proclaiming that this was Ngunnawal country. The mount had indeed been significant for them, a place to guide their paths.
There was another sign about orchids. “This section of the track is particularly rich in orchids, especially in spring” and “Tidbinbilla has more orchid species than all of Britain” got me somewhat excited. Now, other than the snakes I’d been keeping an eye out for, I could look for orchids. Way I figured it was that seeing an orchid would give me a special feeling of goodness while sighting a snake is clearly not a pleasant experience and death can result. Bit of no-brainer really. For the next ¾ of an hour though, I saw neither, though you must remember I was really only looking for orchids.
From the saddle the climb became steep in places and they ever had steps here and there. Glimpses of distant views could be garnered through gaps in the branches, hastening my footsteps somewhat. Somehow you most often seemed to be heading away from your destination but then, a few twists and turns later and you could see the summit above.
Scraggy gums left mottled shadows as you moved into the granite proper, large lumps of rocks that you had to divert around, like protective walls around a castle, and you had to find a way through. The rocks became larger and then, just ahead, a properly constructed lookout of hatched steel flooring.
Somehow, while the view was impressive, you just knew it was going to be better further on. The trail swung away and into the large outcrop until, suddenly, you were beside a broad made road, the fire trail that came via a different, and shorter route. Right beside it was a sign, “Welcome to Gibraltar Peak”. Yet you weren’t actually up the top just yet. That was about another 300 metres further on and, when I zig-zagged through the giant boulders, excitement came to the fore yet again.
There was a giant crack in one monolith that you could squeeze through and that led you to what could be fairly labelled the rear view. Impressive though it was, you couldn’t help but feel the main event was on the other side, and so it transpired. Finally clearing all obstacles I clambered on top of one giant slab of rock. “Wow” was the word that immediately came to mind and it didn’t disappear for some time. - continued on next page

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Superior Queen Room | Private kitchenette | Fridge, microwave, stovetop, espresso maker

The Sebel Canberra Civic

Canberra City Centre

United States

Michelle

NT$3,060 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 9 - Nov 10

Reception

Abode Woden

Phillip

Australia

Karen

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Nov 9 - Nov 10

Daily to-go breakfast (AUD 23 per person)

Abode Belconnen

Belconnen

Australia

Minna

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Dec 5 - Dec 6

Lobby sitting area

Meriton Suites Canberra

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Australia

Trish

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Nov 9 - Nov 10

View from room

Mantra MacArthur Canberra

Turner

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Nov 30 - Dec 1

Daily cooked-to-order breakfast for a fee

A by Adina Canberra

Canberra City Centre

Australia

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Dec 7 - Dec 8

Studio Apartment | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually furnished, desk

Quest Canberra City Walk

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Nov 28 - Nov 29

Restaurant

Nesuto Canberra

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Kath

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Exterior

Quest Canberra

Canberra City Centre

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Joseph

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Nov 14 - Nov 15

Golf

Abode Narrabundah

Narrabundah

Australia

Angel

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Nov 8 - Nov 9

Mini-fridge, microwave, stovetop, espresso maker

The Sebel Canberra Campbell

Campbell

Canada

Nigel

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Nov 16 - Nov 17

1 bedroom, in-room safe, iron/ironing board, free cribs/infant beds

Adina Serviced Apartments Canberra James Court

Braddon

Australia

Adam

NT$3,231 total

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Nov 30 - Dec 1

50-inch Smart TV with satellite channels, Netflix, streaming services

Punthill Tuggeranong

Greenway

Australia

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Dec 7 - Dec 8

Three Bedroom Deluxe Apartment (2nd Floor - Stairs Only) | Living area | 30-inch LCD TV with premium channels, TV

Pinnacle Apartments

Griffith

United States

Yichun

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Nov 20 - Nov 21

Balcony

Oxley Court Serviced Apartments

Griffith

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Kylie

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Nov 9 - Nov 10

Tempur-Pedic beds, individually furnished, desk, laptop workspace

Manuka Park Apartments

Griffith

United States

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Nov 9 - Nov 10

Full-size fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop

Adina Serviced Apartments Canberra Kingston

Griffith

Australia

Demeter

NT$3,393 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 13 - Nov 14

Three Bedroom Penthouse | Living room | LCD TV

BreakFree Capital Tower

Canberra City Centre

Australia

Jodi

NT$4,593 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 9 - Nov 10

Business center

Nishi Apartments Eco Living By Ovolo

Canberra City Centre

Australia

Emma

NT$4,593 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 16 - Nov 17

Exterior

Eagle Hawk Park

Sutton

Australia

MICHAEL

NT$2,906 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 24 - Nov 25

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Rydges Canberra

Rydges Canberra

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"Clean rooms, fresh air, showers clean and very quiet."

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