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Length: 18.5km
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Duration: 6hrs
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Grade: 3
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Style: Circuit
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Start: Lake Daylesford
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End: Lake Daylesford
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Location: Hepburn Regional Park
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Closest Town: Daylesford
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Distance from CBD: 112km
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State: VIC
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Latitude: -37.347933
Longitude: 144.137181
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 Daylesford Lakes and Falls circuit commences at Lake Daylesford. Follow the trail on the south-western side of the lake and walk along the dam wall turning north onto the Peace Mile track. Continue around the Lake for 1km turning left up the steep footpath track to join the Ballan-Daylesford Road. Turn left, cross the main road and walk to the Cornish Hill Lookout via Stanbridge Street to the Daylesford Skate Park. Enter the park and follow the Lerderderg Track of the Great Dividing Trail (distinctive markers with yellow tops and black directional arrows) as it crosses a network of trails through to Patterson Street.
Turn left at Patterson Street then right onto the Lerderderg track and follow it south towards Jubilee Lake . Continue south along the race to the Jubilee Lake viewing platform. This is a good spot for a break and admiring the lake which was constructed in 1860.
Follow a sealed road to Lake Road and turn right and cross the road. There is an unsealed track 50m on the left on the continuation of the railway easement. Walk on the Wombat Forest track (south) for 1km to where the signposted Great Dividing Trail leaves the rail trail easement to the left. Stay on the easement heading south for a further 1.2km and walk a short distance up to a gas pipeline easement. Follow the Star/Paddock Track south for almost 1km to a major track crossroads. Turn west and continue through two open gates along Manna Gum Road which becomes Shanahans Lane at the junction with Foxs Lane on the right. Walk on to the Ballan-Daylesford Road and when you can see traffic in both directions cross the road to the well signposted Sailors Falls recreational area. This is a suitable place for lunch.
After lunch leave the falls, head 300m along Sailors Creek on the Wallaby Track and across the bridge to Sailors Falls Mineral Springs. Follow the water race north for 450m to join the Goldfields Track. Turn right and walk down the gully for about 700 m to the junction with the Three Lost Children Walk. Continue along the gully until reaching a vehicle track. Turn left and start walking back towards Lake Daylesford via the well signposted Goldfields Track in a north-westerly direction for about 1.2km, ignoring any turnoffs.
Cross Sailors Creek heading right at the Y track junction downhill for 170m to cross Old Tom Creek. Head uphill on the track which turns east and becomes Black Jack Track and then turns onto a northerly direction. After 2km leave Black Jack Track and continue to follow the signposted Goldfields Track down the Sailors Creek Valley. After 230m cross Sailors Creek for a brief steep climb and flat stroll to Old Ballarat Road. Turn right and walk 100m along the road turning left onto Goo Goo Road. Continue past the big house then down the track for 130m to a signposted walking track junction. Turn right (east) and follow the water race along Wombat Creek past the Sutton No.1 Spring and the Central Springs Reserve and up the bitumen track past the spillway to rejoin Lake Daylesford at the start of the walk.
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. On entering Daylesford turn left onto Bleakley Street, cross the lake causeway and turn right immediately into the Lake Daylesford car park.
Tips
- There are old mine shafts and a steep track descent where poles are recommended.
GPX File
Max elevation: 664 m
Min elevation: 527 m
Total climbing: 419 m
Total descent: -419 m
Hikes Nearby
73 thoughts on “Daylesford Lakes and Falls (18.5km)”
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Warren Kerr
Mark Taddeo
Steven Anderson
Definitely
Definitely
Meri Bee
Next weekend Amanda Bramley Oates?
Next weekend Amanda Bramley Oates?
Adam Poretti Carolyn Poretti
Adam Poretti Carolyn Poretti
Christopher & Jhilik … next time we r in daylesford
Christopher & Jhilik … next time we r in daylesford
Nice! Looks great 🙂
Natalie Laugeni Kirsty Hannan ?
If there’s the promise of wine at the end I’m in Megan Harper
Optimistic, I have a feeling cheese and wine next to the fire will win out ?
Ha! Me too…
Me three ???
Paul Dickman this is a must!
Cass Cass
Should tackle that tomorrow
Real nature!!???
One to add to the list – Mike Angela Ani Marianne Jamie
Looks divine.
Ryan Thomas
Christopher Jackel – next Saturday?
? take me!
Christopher Jackel this is ur first day to get back into it! ?
Claire Wood
Gayl
Cristina Almada I didn’t know about this one. Daylesford isn’t really that far
You might even talk me into this one ?
Really! Woop. We should do the Gorge first
*cough cough* forgetting someone? Did 35km mean nothing to you?
As if you’re not coming
Ok. You’re lucky.
I want to do the Organ Pipes too, a lower grade than Werribee but should be nice scenery
So many kilometres, not enough time….
Georgette Karvelas
Naomi Roycroft Naomi Carr keeeeen one day hahaha
Too far!
Nahhh
1000%
You’re a shit cunt
18kms!?!?!
Perfecto
Perfecto is 0kms ??
Daniel Pell
Holly Kong-if we go to daylseford maybe we could do this (but not the whole 18k’s)
Chloe Farrow
Karen Chibert
Ooh! & a soak after ;)?
Nick
Tezcan Birgin
Steven Anderson
Definitely.
Rosemarie Ann Carlon Morgan
Rochelle Godwin
Jennifer Vincent what do you think of this one?
Looks awesome! Maybe we should do it on one of pre scheduled hike days???
Love a grade 3. Doable.
Julie Roberts next year
Ines Melissa – one more hike for the year?!
Yes!
Maddison Ruggiero
Elle Innes Kathleen Kopietz
Libby Baulch
When we going ?
Too many snakes now Libby Baulch
Quickensted Brien
Cassie Crosby Dick Fealy Keri Davison i think we can smash that time.!!! Road trip anyone???
Too many snakes now Libby Baulch
Did this hike a few weeks back and it was great. I didn’t use the GPX file so found following the rail trail around Lake Jubilee and finding my way back to Sailors Falls a little unclear but was easy enough to find ,y way back to Sailors Falls. Some of the trails returning to The Lake at Daylesford were under repair.
Did this trail today with a friend. Really beautiful loop. Especially the first 5-6km and the final 5km.
Everything seemed to be in order. Couple of creek crossings that are a little wider due to winter. But nothing to worry about.