Day 12 – Valleys, Tracks, and Fireside Reflections
Day 12 brought us back into familiar terrain—but with fresh gratitude. The first stretch followed Cotter Rd, before we turned onto tracks that meandered through ACT parks and down to the single-lane Cotter bridge, which we walked across in awe.
The climb into Camp Cottermouth Scout Camp was rewarded with warmth: Jeanette’s home-cooked dinner, marshmallows by the fire, and stories shared under the stars. Some of us slept on concrete. Cam and Mike pitched tents. It was the kind of night only a shared journey can bring.
After some Strava vs. Garmin debate—we’ve reconciled the total walking distance to 245 km… for now
Day 13 – Homeward Bound
Date: 23 April 2025 Route: Camp Cottermouth → St John’s Anglican Church, Reid (23.5 km | 300m ascent & descent | 4.5 hrs)
Our penultimate day began with a tight 6km walk along Cotter Rd—narrow verges and close traffic making the first hour a little tense. But relief came as we entered Stromlo Park, rain lightly falling, weaving between mountain bikers and into Coombs.
At Café 80/20, we gathered with family and friends—including Cam’s parents and Chris Mundy. After a warm lunch and heartfelt conversation, our group—now nine strong—followed the Bicentennial National Trail past Scrivener Dam and into the heart of Canberra, finishing at St John’s Church.
That night, we slept in our own beds. What a feeling.
