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.
The Blue Gum Loop is a captivating 22-kilometre hike that winds through the scenic Lerderderg State Park in Victoria. This Grade 4 trail typically takes around six to seven hours to complete, offering a diverse mix of terrain that is sure to keep hikers engaged. The loop begins at the corner of Blue Gum Track and O’Briens Road, where the first few kilometres involve walking along the road. While this initial section is straightforward, it sets the stage for what’s to come as you make a right-hand turn onto the trail.
From here, the trail takes you on a gradual descent, with a few short, steep sections leading down to a creek bed. You’ll cross this creek before tackling a brief but steep hill climb, followed by a descent to another part of the creek. The path then begins to climb again, with a fairly gentle uphill stretch after the initial steep ascent. This steady climb takes you through a series of stunning landscapes, all while immersing you in the natural beauty of the park.
If you’re looking to shorten the hike, you can cut about 6 kilometres off the total distance by heading directly to Firth Road. Alternatively, if you’re keen to explore more, continue along the trail, which undulates through lush fern-filled valleys. There are a couple of short off-track sections to navigate, but the trail soon rejoins tracks that run alongside Firth Road. At times, you’ll be walking along the road itself as you make your way back to the starting point.
This hike offers a wonderful blend of easy-to-follow tracks, off-track sections, and the beauty of both open landscapes and secluded creek areas. It’s an excellent choice for those who enjoy a mix of road walking and nature immersion, with the flexibility to adjust the distance according to your preferences.
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.
- This hike should not be attempted with navigation aids.
- Keep an eye out for motorbikes which often use some of the tracks
Total distance: 23170 m
Max elevation: 718 m
Min elevation: 377 m
Total climbing: 1238 m
Total descent: -1209 m
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Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take.
Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.
Getting to the trailhead: Lerderderg State Park.
This hike is in the Lerderderg State Park about an hour and 15 mins from Melbourne. Take Carrolls lane off Bacchus March Road which becomes Firth Road then O’Briens Road. Start point is where O’Briens road meets the Bluegum Track.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
- 2WD Access
- Gravel Road
- Small Car Park
Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.
Nearby towns: 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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11 Reviews on “Blue Gum Loop Hike (22km)”
Yep done that one a couple of times and recorded it. There is a bit of history along the way if you know what to look for. Not a bad walk.
Steven Parker Lynda Maddison Mani Andreetta
This was a very unexpected hike. I’ll certainly be exploring this area more
Grant Hollingworth it is a lot of fun