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Length: 13.8km
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Duration: 5hrs
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Grade: 3
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Style: Circuit
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Start: Blowhole Carpark
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End: Blowhole Carpark
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Location: Hepburn Regional Park
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Closest Town: Daylesford
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Distance from CBD: 119km
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State: VIC
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Latitude: -37.308911
Longitude: 144.118266
Keep the Trail Access info current...

Select items to indicate conditions for access to the trail.


2WD Access


4WD Access


Public Transport


Bitumen Road


Gravel Road


Steep Road


Winding Road


Speed Bumps


Vehicle Ford


Entry Fee


Large Car Park


Small Car Park


Accessible Parking


Accessible Toilet


Public Toilets


Drinking Water


Untreated Water


Picnic Shelter


Picnic Table


BBQ Facilities


Campfire Pit


Camping Area
Keep the Trail Features current...

Hepburn Regional Park...
Select items to indicate features found along the trail.


Concrete Path


Timber Boardwalk


Gravel Path


Sandy Trail


Rough Trail


Undefined Trail


Prams & Strollers


Manual Wheelchair


Motorised Wheelchair


Bicycle Trail


Mountain Bike Trail


Historic Rail Trail


Dog Friendly


Urban Walk


Coast & Beach


Historic Lighthouse


Waterfalls & Lakes


Rainforest Walk


Goldfields & Mining


Heritage Walk


Aboriginal Art


Alpine Region


Alpine Huts


Exposed Ledges


Rock Scrambling


Steep Terrain


Bush Bashing


River Crossings


Scenic Viewpoints


Well Marked


Drinking Water


Untreated Water


Fishing Spots


Swimming Spots


Overnight Campsites


Trail Running


Horse Riding
Hike Summary
The Blowhole to Shepherds Flat hike commences at the Blowhole car parking area and follow the marked Great Dividing Trail which descends to Sailors Creek. Cross the creek taking care during or after heavy rain. After crossing the creek, climb to a junction of four tracks. Take the right-hand vehicle track heading north then north-east and from in a northerly direction. After 2.9 km pass through an old gate and walk off-track through moderately dense scrub passing a deserted stone house on the right 300 m after the gate. After a further 500 m join Wayman Road and turning right follow it to the junction with Hepburn-Newstead Road. Continue along on the grass verge in a north-westerly direction for 1.4 km. Leave the sealed road at the Willow Café and follow Shepherds Flat-Weroona Road for 700 m before taking a minor track heading south.
Continue in a southerly direction off-track along a spur for about 1 km before meeting a track. Turn left and follow the track south-east and then south for 1.6 km keeping a watchful eye for open mine shafts until joining Basalt Gully Road. Follow the gravel road for 600 m then make a left turn along Boots Gully track with its steady climb for 1.2 km in a southerly direction. Turn east-north-east along Blowhole Track for 200 m before turning east-south-east along a poorly defined track which after 200 m becomes more clearly defined. Continue a further 800 m to a track junction visited earlier in the hike. Turn right along the track heading south-east and follow the remains of a former water race, which meanders along a contour in a south-easterly direction. Turn in a north-north-easterly direction to the Blowhole viewing site and then return to the car park.
About the region
Hepburn Regional Park nestles around the famous mineral springs townships of Daylesford, Hepburn and Hepburn Springs. Rich with natural springs and relics from the gold mining era, the park abounds with opportunities for bushwalking, mountain bike and horse riding, picnicking and nature study. Mount Franklin is a small volcanic crater with basic camping set amid exotic trees.
Getting there
From Melbourne head west via the M1, M80 and the Western Freeway/Highway (M8) and take the C141 exit, turning north to Daylesford. From Daylesford continue north on Main Road for about 4 km, turn left onto Hepburn-Newstead Road and continue for 1.3 km to Eighteenth Street. Turn left and follow this road for 800 m and turn right into Blowhole Road. Continue for a further 600 m to the Blowhole parking area.
Tips
This hike involves off-trail walking and should therefore only be attempted by parties experienced in the use of map and compass and equipped with a topographic map covering the hike. The provided hike map is unsuitable for navigation purposes.
Steep tracks and steps may be slippery when wet. The stream crossing may be up to 10 m wide after rain. Some off-track is through thick scrub. Good walking shoes or boots are required and walking poles may be helpful.
GPX File
Max elevation: 494 m
Min elevation: 343 m
Total climbing: 349 m
Total descent: -350 m
Hikes Nearby
49 thoughts on “Blowhole to Shepherds Flat (13.8km)”
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Maddison Ruggiero
Cynthia Chaffey
Lucy Roberts, a nice for you and I to do?
It looks really good
Looks a good track…..close to home …..
Liz Maggs Smith
Oooh !! Can we take the hound?
Ange Douglas also worth a look!
Amy
Paige Hogan looks like a fun day out
no it doesnt
Joel Spiller you’re not Paige !
Let’s do it together and leave Joel Spiller at home
Paige Hogan girls day… yay
Carolyn Husenovic
Bruce Adam – lets do this
Sharyn Kitchen I’m soooooooooo hanging out for a walk in the beautiful bush.
13 km!!!! Bloody would cripple me lol
But yea..definitely hanging to do some exploring xx
I’ve only done 10k
Lynn Peterson …your fitter than me ?
Haha i have stairs now, so I’ll need to be
Lynn Peterson ?
Mike Rixon
Jason Whittle
Dave Nubs Olsen…..got a hankering to go back out again?
Yes! Let’s do it!
Gary Singh meets the criteria
yass????
Oliver Bonaccorso
Jill
Yes please!
Gee Brown
Oooohh! I have interest.
serious? Come into town for lunch tomorrow to discuss interest?
I will be in town for a gym session so yes. I can meet to discuss interest. 🙂
great! 1pm at the usual?
Chloe Farrow
Julie Roberts when you join us again
Martin looks nice.
I read somewhere that the track to the blowhole is closed? I’ll find the page and post it here. Recently linked the Three Lost Children’s and Great Divide Trail to create a close to 20km loop hike. Was a good walk!
The start of it is closed just near the blowhole itself. The trail and some of the steps were damaged following heavy rains. Just walk around the barrier, with caution, as the rest of the trail is fine.
Grant Hollingworth thank you.
Madeline Keating
Here’s the link, hard the tell exactly what is closed though http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/hepburn-r.p/things-to-do/blow-hole
Sian & David should this be on our list. Not sure if it’s near Daylesford
Rachel & David, our September walk??
Sian Bennell ok
??
David Ames