The Lerderderg State Park is rugged and remote with limited directional signage. You should be prepared for all conditions and have suitable navigation experience (not just a phone app) before venturing beyond the main picnic/parking areas or Grahams Dam. Many rescues have occurred in this park that could have been avoided. For safety reasons, this hike is best undertaken in the warmer months when water levels in the river and tributaries are lower, reducing the risk of difficult crossings and slippery terrain.
Tucked away in the heart of Lerderderg State Park, Clearwater Gully offers a 15.5-kilometre circuit that weaves through one of the more secluded corners of this rugged landscape. It's a hike that rewards those with experience and a solid level of fitness, drawing you into a part of the park that sees far fewer footsteps than the better-known trails. The route can take between six and eight hours to complete, and timing can vary depending on the flow of the creek and river, which can slow progress considerably. For safety reasons, this hike is best undertaken in the warmer months when water levels in the river and tributaries are lower, reducing the risk of difficult crossings and slippery terrain.
The gully itself follows Clearwater Creek, a quiet tributary of the Lerderderg River. There’s something quietly striking about this stretch of country—its remoteness, the raw textures of rock and scrub, and the sense of stepping into a place that has largely escaped notice. The land here once carried the weight of gold-mining hopes, though today only subtle reminders of that chapter remain, slowly fading into the bush. If you're attentive, you might catch glimpses of old diggings or weathered ruins, half-swallowed by bracken and time.
The walk combines segments of management access tracks with more challenging sections through river gorges and creek beds. There's a descent of about 350 metres from the start down to the Lerderderg River, which marks the transition into a slower, more rugged phase of the hike. From there, the trail follows the course of Clearwater Creek, with an equivalent climb back up to reconnect with the track that leads out. This section, while rewarding, requires careful footing, especially after rain when the rock can be slick and treacherous.
Expect a mix of terrain—open grassy flats, exposed rock platforms, and densely vegetated gullies. The absence of a formed trail for much of the route adds a layer of challenge but also a feeling of quiet exploration. While navigation along the creek is relatively intuitive, you’ll still need solid map and compass skills or a reliable GPS. This isn’t a walk for beginners or those new to off-track hiking, but for experienced walkers with a taste for solitude and untamed landscapes, Clearwater Gully is a satisfying and memorable route through one of Victoria’s lesser-known wild places.
- Day pack with adequate foot, layers and at least 2 litres of water
- Change of clothes, socks, and a towel (recommended in case of getting wet or muddy)
- Walking poles – helpful for navigating uneven terrain and riverbeds as these can be slippery
- Torch/headlamp – essential in case you’re delayed or caught out after dark
- Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) – for emergency situations in remote areas
- Tell someone your plans – including your route and expected return time
Please don’t copy GPX files or content from this site to AllTrails or other platforms. Each trail has been personally mapped, documented, and refined to support Australia’s bushwalking and hiking community. While some details come from land managers, every listing reflects significant personal effort. This is a free, community-driven initiative—your respect helps keep it that way.
Total distance: 15409 m
Max elevation: 646 m
Min elevation: 329 m
Total climbing: 601 m
Total descent: -603 m
Getting to the trailhead: Lerderderg State Park.
From Melbourne, take the Calder Freeway (M79) for approximately 53 km and exit at Gisborne. Continue along the Bacchus Marsh–Gisborne Road for 11 km, then turn right onto Carrolls Lane. Veer left onto Firth Road and drive a further 2.8 km before turning left onto O’Briens Road. Follow O’Briens Road for 4.5 km until you reach the start of the Lerderderg Track, where you can park. Alternatively, you can access Carrolls Lane via the Western Freeway (M8) through Bacchus Marsh.
Closest towns to this walk: Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Blackwood, Bullengarook, Coimadai, Darley, Daylesford, Gisborne, Kyneton, Macarthur, Macedon, Maddingley, Melton, Myrniong, Sunbury, Trentham, Woodend
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.
Looking for more walks in or near Lerderderg State Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
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Grade 4 (Hard) -
Challenging Walks for Experienced Walkers: Grade 4 on the
AWTGS signifies challenging walking tracks. Bushwalking experience is recommended for these tracks, which may be long, rough, and very steep. Directional signage may be limited, requiring a good sense of navigation. These walks are suited for experienced walkers who are comfortable with steeper inclines, rougher terrain, and potentially longer distances.
Plan ahead and hike safely! Carry enough water, pack layers for changing conditions, and bring safety gear like a torch, PLB, and reliable communication device. Check official sources for trail updates, closures, and access requirements, and review local weather and bushfire advice. Most importantly, share your plans with someone before you go. Being prepared makes for a safer and more enjoyable hike! Stay Safe, Explore More, and Always #ExploreSafe.
What you carry in your pack depends on factors like weather, terrain, and your adventure type. Not sure what to bring? My free planning, food, and packing checklists are a great starting point, covering day hikes, overnight trips, and multi-day adventures. Use them to customise your kit and always prioritise safety.
Before heading out, take a moment to fill out your trip intentions form. It’s a quick way to share your hike details with family or friends. If something goes wrong, they can notify emergency services, ensuring a faster response and peace of mind. Stay safe and enjoy your adventure
Spotted a change on this trail? Maybe there are new features, the route has shifted, or the trail is permanently closed. Whatever the update, I’d love your input. Your feedback helps fellow hikers stay informed and ensures that our trail info stays fresh and reliable.
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5 Reviews on “Clearwater Gully Hike (15.5km)”
This is definitely a walk for experienced bushwalkers. The section along the creek is slow and tough going. Make sure you start early and allow plenty of time for this one.
I’ve done the Clearwater Gully starting from Lohs Lane, up the gully over the spur and down Old River and back up. Adds an extra climb but well worth it. But tributaries are worth exploring.
http://mbw.org.au/zenphoto/2014/sunday-walks/2014052501_NEW_Sardine_Clearwater/
Where we diverted off the unmarked track and made our own way and I nearly fell to my death. ?? Anny Au my hero. Let me just tag you guys so you can relive that special day. Cheng Ung, Cindy Au, Alvin Vitor.
The Sardine and Clearwater Creeks make a great walk destination. Some photos to show what it is like.
An extremely challenging and somewhat dangerous hike. We were a small group in our late twenties that ending up taking almost 9 hours to complete the route. Extra time was required due to high water levels in the creek that we needed to cross on a few occasions. As it took far longer than expected, we spent several hours navigating in the dark with torchlight and were only able to get out thanks to pre-loading the GPX map on our phones. The lengthy walk along the creek bed was covered in mossy, slippery rocks and plenty of pools of water to try and avoid. Additionally, countless fallen trees made this extremely challenging. Even without rain for a few days, there were extremely wet and slippery conditions. The situation became extremely concerning and we were at risk of not finding the dirt road back up the mountain if not for the torches and the GPX map. Would strongly recommend allowing plenty of daylight for experienced hikers, or avoiding this hike altogether due to the dangerous conditions. May be more suitable in summer (drier, longer daylight), as this was undertaken in winter.