Hike at a Glance
Max elevation: 876m
Min elevation: 587m
Total Ascent: 1028m
Hike overview
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.
Content use
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.
Walk map and GPX file
Max elevation: 876 m
Min elevation: 587 m
Total climbing: 1028 m
Total descent: -1028 m
Getting there
Getting to the trailhead: Wombat State Forest.
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.
Closest towns to this walk: Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Barrys Reef, Blackwood, Clunes, Darley, Daylesford, Gisborne, Greendale, Hepburn Springs, Kyneton, Macedon, Maldon, Melton, Spargo, Trentham, Woodend
About the region
Wombat State Forest, located near Blackwood in Victoria, is a fantastic destination for anyone who loves walking, bushwalking, or hiking. Just 90 kilometres northwest of Melbourne, this expansive forest is home to a network of trails that wind through towering eucalypts, fern-filled gullies, and rugged landscapes shaped by centuries of natural forces. With a variety of tracks catering to different fitness levels, it’s a place where both casual walkers and seasoned hikers can find a trail that suits their style.
Rich in biodiversity, the forest supports an array of native wildlife, from echidnas and wallabies to the elusive Powerful Owl. Among the dense undergrowth, rare plant species like the Wombat Bush Pea thrive, adding to the ecological significance of the area. The forest also plays a crucial role as a water catchment, feeding the headwaters of the Lerderderg, Moorabool, Coliban, Campaspe, and Loddon rivers, which in turn sustain communities and natural habitats beyond its borders.
One of the standout features of Wombat State Forest is its mineral springs. Accounting for over 80% of Australia’s mineral springs, these waters are naturally enriched with calcium, silica, magnesium, iron, and sulphur. Many visitors enjoy stopping at these springs to sample the unique mineral-rich waters, which have long been valued for their supposed health benefits.
Beyond hiking and bushwalking, the forest offers plenty of outdoor activities, making it a great spot for a day out or a longer adventure. Four-wheel driving, mountain biking, birdwatching, and picnicking are all popular pastimes here. Whether you're looking for a leisurely stroll beneath the towering gums or a more challenging hike through rugged terrain, Wombat State Forest has something to offer.
Similar walks nearby
Looking for more walks in or near Wombat State Forest? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
Track grade
Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.
Explore safe
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.
Packing checklists
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.
Let someone know
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
Suggest an edit
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.
Acknowledgement of Country
Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.
1 Review on “Blue Mount & Mount Wilson Hike (27.7km)”
We did this on 30/APR/2025. The GPS file is a bit tricky and misleading. We ran into many dead ends on this track. The Blue Mountain route after the pick is a no go. The entire area is overgrown and covered with large fallen trees. We had to turn back. Once on Wheeler Road the route directed us into the bush without any trace of any track. Therefore, we headed down on Wheeler Road and missed a large section of the route. Lastly, at 21150m the route lead us into another dead end (500m), we turned back. We should have stayed on the Lerderderg track. Other than that, it was an awesome hike. Thanks!
Thanks for the update on conditions. It’s been a few years since I’ve done this one and it sounds like things have become overgrown in that time. I might have to head out there again to update the GPX file. It was certainly all manageable when we first tracked it.
Steven Anderson
Shane Treacy
Mick Sheedy
Thanks heaps! I’m going to give it a go!!
Hi. Could you tell me what section the graves are in? Thanks.
Great track Trail Hiking Australia. Have done this twice, and would still do it again in a year! It’s about 32km though
Hiked this circuit yesterday (20 August 2016). Was a log day hike with plenty of short steep sections to get the muscled pumping. The distance was closer to 28km so would make a great overnight hike.
Is there more tracks there but not as long
Beautiful area! I attempted this with a small group this weekend. I would caution anyone heading into the area that there are many, many large trees that have fallen over the tracks. It will take much longer than expected and in windy weather possibly more can fall.
I would love to return once it is safe to do so and try again.
Hi, I did this hike yesterday. Lovely cool, sunny day. Had a great time. Was a bit more of a bush trek than I was expecting. I would do it again but maybe skip the graveyard bit as the graves have been vandalised and was sad to see. There are also a lot of private properties around that area.
Celeste Bruce?