Blue Mount and Mount Wilson (27.7km)

Summary

The Blue Mount and Mount Wilson circuit explores the lesser known regions of the Wombat State Forest, the upper reaches of the Lerderderg River and two of the highest mountains in the region.  The hike commences on Flemings Lane, Barry’s Reef. Walk to the end of the lane and continue along the narrow Albion Track for approximately 1.3km until you locate a foot trail on your left. Follow this trail until it returns back to Albion Track. Turn left at this point and walk a further 800m to a trail junction. Follow this trail north around the eastern side of Blue Mountain following Pronk then Tower Tracks to the 873m summit.

From the fire lookout descent in a southerly direction. This hike descends off-trail but you do have the option of following a fire trail to the foot of the mount. Turning right at the junction of Pronk Track follow a motorbike trail in a westerly direction until you locate Yankee Track. Follow Yankee Track to the Greendale-Trentham Road.

Turning left, walk approximately 300m south-west and turn right onto Clarkes Lane on Split Tree Gully. Follow this for a short distance then turn left at the fork onto Wheeler Road. After approximately 1.7km, leave the Road on the western side of a knoll and descend the broad spur into Dog Creek. Cross the creek and continue west until you locate a disused vehicle track. Turn right at this point and follow the track to the junction of Mount Wilson Road.

Turn left and follow the road past the Blue Mount Cemetery  to the 863m summit of Mount Wilson. From the summit, retrace your steps a few hundred metres before turning south-east onto a vehicle track. Follow this track along a narrow spur to the head of a gully above the Lerderderg River. You will need to carefully navigate east then south around the steepest part of the gully before descending steeply down to the river below.

Ford the river and turn east onto Lerderderg Road, which is also the Great Dividing Trail. Follow the trail east for approximately 4.5km until you reach the New Sultan Mine Track. Cross the river via a bridge then follow the track past the Blackwood Reservoir and back to Barry’s Reef.

Getting There

Travel to Blackwood from the Western Freeway. Continue past Blackwood on the Greendale – Trentham road about 2.5km to Barrys Reef. Turn right into Flemings Lane and find a spot to park.