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Length: 12.5km
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Duration: 3hrs
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Grade: 3
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Style: One Way
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Start: O'Brien's Crossing
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End: Blackwood
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Location: Lerderderg State Park
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Closest Town: Blackwood
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Distance from CBD: 90km
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State: VIC
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Latitude: -37.487730849534
Longitude: 144.32613076642
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4WD Access
Public Transport
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Speed Bumps
Accessible Toilet
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Untreated Water
Picnic Shelter
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2WD Access
4WD Access
Public Transport
Bitumen Road
Gravel Road
Steep Road
Winding Road
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Large Car Park
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Accessible Toilet
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Drinking Water
Untreated Water
Picnic Shelter
Picnic Table
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Campfire Pit
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Heritage Walk
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Concrete Path
Timber Boardwalk
Gravel Path
Sandy Trail
Rough Trail
Undefined Trail
Prams & Strollers
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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
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Well Marked
Drinking Water
Untreated Water
Fishing Spots
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Overnight Campsites
Byers Back Track is a 12.5km, grade 3 One Way hike located in Lerderderg State Park Victoria. The hike should take approximately 3hrs to complete.
Summary
Byers Back Track runs for approximately 12.5 kms between Blackwood and O’Brien’s Crossing in the Lerderderg State Park. The hike can be undertaken as a one way trip with a car shuttle or a return hike, retracing your path. Alternatively you can return via Tunnel Point Track. This circuit is referred to as the Blackwood Hike Circuit.
The route largely follows old water races which were cut into the mountainside to transfer water from dams or the river to downstream alluvial gold workings where panning for gold would be undertaken. As water originally flowed in them, the old water courses are basically level and follow the contours of the hillside meaning that the hike is relatively flat at times. Despite being relatively flat, the hike does present technical challenges along the way such as rocks, fallen trees, washouts, stairs, steep drop offs and loose surfaces. From a hill climbing perspective, the hike is relatively flat and, hence, quite easy but it does provide a few challenges particularly when wet.
The vegetation is largely gum trees for most of the way but as the track gets more elevated in the steeper sections of the gorge, the forest varies and provides excellent views out over the Lerderderg River.
A number of mines and gold diggings are passed on the way along the trail.
About the region
The 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.
Getting there
O’Briens Crossing is located in the centre of the northern section of the park, along O’Briens Road. The crossing is located approximately 4km from the Greendale-Blackwood Road, with the turnoff approximately a 5km drive north of Greendale. The track into the crossing is quite good with sufficient access for 2WD’s and caravans.
Max elevation: 576 m
Min elevation: 449 m
Total climbing: 536 m
Total descent: -474 m
5 thoughts on “Byers Back Track (12.5km)”
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This hike is also great as a 25km return hike either from Blackwood or O’Briens Crossing
Georgia Hooper
Mickayla Allen, Nola and I will meet you there when you move back to Ballarat.
Maty J Lewis
Let’s do this or hanging rock???