Blowhard Circuit (23.7km)

Summary

The enjoyable Blowhard Circuit hike takes in Blowhard Summit in the Lake Eildon National Park, providing superb 360 degree views, and finishes with a pleasant walk alongside Lake Eildon.

The trail starts at the Wallaby Bay carpark. Follow the dirt road back up to Merlo Lookout. After admiring the view across the lake from this point, cross the road to access the signposted foot track up to Blowhard Summit. This section is fairly short but steep in places.

The views from Blowhard Summit are excellent, including a fine prospect down Blowhard Spur to Lake Eildon and a good view of Mt Buller to the East. From here, ignore the track down Blowhard Spur and instead continue north-east along an obvious old vehicular track. The track dips steeply into a saddle (take care on this section as the loose gravel makes it a bit ‘slippery’) and then climbs again to a high point and track junction with Devass Gullt Track.

Continue west along Blowhard Spur Track, keeping right at the Keg Spur Track junction. Follow the Blowhard Spur Track along its length until you reach a T intersection at Skyline Road. Turning right you will walk along the road until reaching the Station Creek Track on your right. Follow this track along its length until you reach the junction of Aird Inlet Track. Turn right here towards School point along a vehicular track. After School point is reached the trail becomes a footpath (Wallaby Bay Track) which follows the forested shore of Lake Eildon. After crossing a footbridge at Lightwood Inlet the path becomes a little indistinct – follow the orange triangle trail markers – before again becoming clear and continuing for another 4km or so past Italian Bay and Cook Point back to Wallaby Bay carpark.

Getting there

From Alexandra (approx. 130 km north-east of Melbourne), head towards Eildon along the Goulburn Valley Highway for about 2 km. Turn left onto U.T. Road and follow it for 11 km. Turn left (at the roundabout) onto Entrance Road and follow this all the way past Merlo’s Lookout to the Wallaby Bay Carpark at the end.

About the park

Lake Eildon National Park offers a variety of settings to explore; from open bush in the north, to dense vegetation in the south and east. Enjoy bushwalking, cycling, boating and fishing or try the more adventurous pursuit of waterskiing. Relax in a scenic environment and experience native wildlife.