Nils Desperandum

I've recently started introducing some variety to the hikes/bushwalks that we've been doing. Historically we've tended to complete a couple of favourite walks (which as a result I know very well) but Canberra is covered in multitudes of walks, paths and climbs and so we've started expanding our repertoire and beginning to explore a wider area.

Our trip to Nils Desperandum was one such walk which we took on a sunny public holiday.

Nils Desperandum is a homestead - built in the 1890s (ancient by Australian standards) and has been occupied by three or four families until it was eventually consumed by Tidbinbilla nature reserve in the 1970's. It's possible to book the house and stay overnight which I think it would be a great adventure. The house has got a lot of rustic charm, has a kitchen with a range and is quite remote. There's running water but no electricity and of course no wifi (hurrah!) 

Your neighbours would consist of the numerous kangaroos lolloping around and while we were there we sat and listened to the maniacal chatter of a kookaburra.  

One of the reviews I read of the place said that staying in the house was basically 'camping but with a roof' which I think is probably a fair summation.  

It's not a very long walk (around a 9km round trip) and is mostly along an easily navigable fire trail. The walk has a steady uphill incline but nothing like as steep as Granite Tor which was the walk I'd completed on my own in March.

My walking companions were a bit underwhelmed by the homestead when we reached it (no TV). Fortunately I'd taken along some sweetcorn, bread and sausages and so we happily cooked them on the BBQ that belongs to the property. The house has an enclosed garden area where it would also be possible to camp if your party exceeded the six beds that were inside the house itself.

Walking back to the car park was much easier (downhill) but because we'd left relatively late in the morning we could feel the winter chill around 4pm after the sun dropped below the horizon. We had about an hour of daylight left by the time we reached the car. I drove my three companions the short 30 minute ride back to Canberra.