Daylesford Lakes & Falls Hike (18.5km)

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.