Blackwood Circuit is a 22.6km, grade 3 hike located in Lerderderg State Park, Victoria. The hike should take around 6 hours to complete.
Hike overview
Although fairly long, the Blackwood Circuit is easy to navigate and is a great showcase of the Lerderderg River's gold mining past. There are all manner of mines, mullock heaps and water races as well as a couple of mineral springs, attractive picnic areas and even a small lake. The village of Blackwood and its wonderful goldrush era buildings mark the halfway point of the walk (and a great place to stop at the pub for lunch). This also makes for a relatively easy overnight hike. For this you would commence at the town of Blackwood and camp overnight at O'Briens Crossing where there is a river, flat camping areas and toilet facilities.
Overnight hike for kids
This makes an excellent overnight hike for kids as it is not too long, the terrain is relatively flat and the river at O'Briens Crossing will keep them entertained.
Route and GPX file
Max elevation: 671 m
Min elevation: 449 m
Total climbing: 916 m
Total descent: -923 m
Tips
- Get an early start as this is a good day hike so need to allow time to stop and enjoy the scenery.
Trail location
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Getting there
From Melbourne follow the Western Freeway for 67Km and take the Greendale exit. Continue on for 6.5Km to Greendale. Turn right along the Greendale-Trentham Road and follow it for 7.5Km towards Blackwood to O'Briens Road (on the right). Continue down O'Briens Road to O'Briens Crossing. Park at the crossing.
Access conditions
- 4WD Access
- Public Transport
- Gravel Road
- Speed Bumps
- Accessible Toilet
- Untreated Water
- Picnic Shelter
- Camping Area
Gallery
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About the region
Rising in the Great Dividing Range, the Lerderderg River has cut a 300 metre deep gorge through sandstone and slate, almost bisecting the park. The park has a wide variety of vegetation and wildlife and some interesting relics of gold mining. Lerderderg State Park encompasses scenic and geological gorge formations surrounding the Lerderderg River as well as the volcanic cone of Mount Blackwood. The adjacent and separate block called the Pyrete Range forms part of the park. The Lerderderg is known for its remote setting and the 300m deep Lerderderg River gorge is a dominant feature. Private land abuts the park to the south and the Wombat State forest abuts to the north and west.
Lerderderg State Park (incorporating the former Pyrete State Forest) is a 14,250-hectare park located between Bacchus Marsh and Blackwood, an hour's drive from Melbourne, Australia. There are several maintained tracks for walking through the park and camping is allowed.
The park is named for the Lerderderg River which has cut the 300 metre deep Lerderderg Gorge through sandstone and slate, almost bisecting the park. Parks Victoria maintains six designated walks: three short walks of 3.5 km or less; Blackwood-O'Briens Crossing and return (22 km); O'Briens Crossing-Cowan Track loop (14 km); and the overnight walk O'Briens Crossing to Mackenzies Flat (20 km).
In addition, one leg of the Great Dividing Trail, the Lerderderg Track, passes through the park, entering from Blackwood in the park's northwest, and exiting south towards Bacchus Marsh. Bicycles are prohibited from one section of this track, due to a conservation area.
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Explore Safe
While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.
Let someone know
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Gear to consider
My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.Â
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Acknowledgement of Country
Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.