Black Mountain Nature Reserve VKFF-0834

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On Sunday, 26th October 2025, Marija and I had some time to spare before heading out to dinner at the Gunghalin Lakes Golf Club. So we decided to drive up to Black Mountain in Canberra for a VKFF activation.

Black Mountain Nature Reserve is bordered by Caswell Drive to the west, Parkes Way to the south, and Belconnen Way to the north.

Black Mountain is known as Galambary in the language of the Ngunnawal Aboriginal people. It was used as an initiation site. The mountain is said to represent the growth of a boy into a man. (Wikipedia 2023)

Above: An aerial view of Black Mountain. Image c/o Google Maps

In 1820, a party of three led by Charles Throsby Smith, James Vaughan and Joseph Wild, travelled through the eastern reaches of Ginninderra, crossing the Molonglo and Queanbeyan Rivers, and climbing Black Mountain. (Chirp 2026)

Above: Charles Throsby Smith. Image c/o Wikipedia

Between 1829 and 1833, surveyors Robert Dixon and Robert Hoddle mapped the Canberra area. Hoddle made a sketch of Black Mountain, naming it Black Hill.

Above: Robert Hoddle. Image c/o Wikipedia

Black Mountain Nature Reserve is 434 hectares in size. It contains Black Mountain summit, which is 812 metres above sea level. Unfortunately, there was some drizzle, so it was not conducive to conducting an activation for the Summits On The Air (SOTA) program. (and 2025)

More than 660 species of plants, including 60 orchid species, have been recorded in the reserve. This includes 40 nationally and regionally rare plant species. The reserve is home to several threatened and declining nomadic or migratory birds. This includes the Gang-gang Cockatoo and the Scarlet Robin. (and 2025)

On top of Black Mountain is the Telstra Tower, which is 195 metres tall. I had been told before my visit to be prepared to see that the tower was closed and covered in graffiti.

The tower has been closed since 2021. I have great memories of going there for a coffee with Andrew VK1AD, John VK5BJE, and Heath VK3TWO back in 2015 after a SOTA activation.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK2YK/p (VKFF-0851)
  2. VK5GA/p (VKFF-0851)
  3. VK2IO/P (VKFF-0850)
  4. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-0850)
  5. VK1AO
  6. VK2MET
  7. VK3CLD
  8. VK2DBF
  9. VK5QA
  10. VK2LDJ/P (VKFF-0860)
  11. VK3SQ
  12. VK3JT
  13. VK2BD
  14. VK5AYL
  15. VK1DI
  16. VK3EME
  17. VK3FTOM

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK2YK/p (VKFF-0851)
  2. VK5GA/p (VKFF-0851)
  3. VK2IO/P (VKFF-0850)
  4. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-0850)
  5. VK1AO
  6. VK2MET
  7. VK3CLD
  8. VK2DBF
  9. VK5QA
  10. VK2LDJ/P (VKFF-0860)
  11. VK3SQ
  12. VK3JT
  13. VK2BD
  14. VK5AYL
  15. VK1DI
  16. VK3EME
  17. VK3FTOM

References.

  1. and, P. (2025). Black Mountain Nature Reserve. [online] Act.gov.au. Available at: https://www.parks.act.gov.au/find-a-nature-park/canberra-nature-park/black-mountain-nature-reserve. [Accessed 21 Jan. 2025]‌
  2. ‌Chirp Internet (2026). Rediscovering Ginninderra: Charles Throsby | Hall Heritage Centre. [online] Hall.act.au. Available at: https://heritage.hall.act.au/display/1939/person/2150/charles-throsby.html [Accessed 21 Jan. 2026].
  3. ‌Wikipedia. (2023). Black Mountain (Australian Capital Territory). [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Mountain_(Australian_Capital_Territory). [Accessed 21 Jan. 2025]‌

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