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.
This is a great overnight hike for the family as the terrain is relatively flat and Mine Camp offers a large open campsite close to the Lerderderg River. The East Walk - Mine Camp hike follows the Lerderderg River downstream from O'Briens Crossing through to Mine Camp. The trail, which initially hugs the Lerderderg River is rough and narrow in places and subject to flood damage.
From O'Briens Crossing cross the ford and locate the signposted East Walk. The track meanders and undulates downstream along the east bank of the river through a mixture of light forest, patches of gorse and a few sections of heavy flood damage where you will need to walk carefully across the debris. The track passes remnants of nineteenth century gold mining activity, including diggings, water races, mullock heaps and collapsed adits. At times the track traverses close to the water, and some caution is required at times of high river levels.
Mine Camp is an open, flat level area on the right, opposite Nolan Track and is a great spot for lunch before returning via the same route to O'Briens Crossing. This is also an excellent spot to camp if you are looking for a short overnight hike, especially with the kids.
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.
- At times of high river levels short sections of the East Walk along the river might become inundated.
- This track is also narrow in places, with some sections of instability.
Total distance: 13361 m
Max elevation: 466 m
Min elevation: 401 m
Total climbing: 479 m
Total descent: -479 m
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Drive to Blackwood on the Western Highway via Melton and Bacchus Marsh, taking the Greendale-Myrninong Rd turn-off from the highway and then the Greendale-Trentham Rd to approximately 2km south of Blackwood and turn into O'Briens Road. Follow O'Briens Road east for approximately 5.5km to O'Briens Crossing. The walk starts and finishes from this point. Parking is available on the west bank of the river.
- 2WD Access
- Gravel Road
- Winding Road
- Small Car Park
- Accessible Toilet
- Public Toilets
- Untreated Water
- Picnic Shelter
- Picnic Table
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.
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While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.
Adventure with peace of mind: Fill out your trip intentions form. Before you hit the trail, fill out an online form to privately send important details about your hike to your family or friends. If you don’t return on time, they can easily alert emergency services, preventing worry and ensuring a swift response. Hike with peace of mind and enjoy your outdoor adventure to the fullest. Be smart, be safe: Register your plans here.
What you carry in your pack will depend on the weather, terrain, time of year, type of adventure, and personal preferences. Having trouble deciding what gear’s right for you? My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.Â
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3 Reviews on “East Walk - Mine Camp Hike (13km)”
Did this hike yesterday, having done it 12 months ago with dogs, there is a new sign that says no dogs. Given this is state forest, not sure on why this is up?
Kids update!! Just hiked this on 14-15 November as an overnight with kids. The second half in particular is quite overgrown with quite a few narrow sections and path broken away. No problem for the average adult hiker but watch this with kids. Just after the section marked (disused site), and before you’d cross the river to Mine Camp, there is a decent sized land slide (fallen tree) with a very very narrow make-shift path with dry-ish earth that I would only navigate if you are very confident with your pack and on your feet. We ended up turning around and trying to find a camp which is practically impossible because of the rocky river bed. I’d also say the 2.25 hours indicated on the Lerdi map is for a relatively speedy adult, i.e. not the usual “relaxed” timing I find on some maps. Absolutely beautiful though, plenty of water in the river and just stunning.
The water is flowing in the river at this point in time from the rainfall which is great. I turned this into an overnight walk staying at the campsite near the end of the trail. The track is fairly straight forward, a few points where there are wash outs and fallen trees are a little tricky with a large backpack on but walking poles proved useful for these sections. There is a point on the trail where it turns into a goat track up and around a cliff edge as the original trail has been washed away. This is quite demanding and care should be taken on this section. Slow and steady is an understatement. If doing the circuit back to obriens crossing via Cowens track, there is a long steep section but doable. With many breathing stops 😉
Plenty of water should be taken if doing this as a day walk, Would suggest no less than 2ltrs per person. Pref 3 Ltrs.
Loved doing this hike with my boys. Such a great intro to an overnight pack carry for them
Hiked in with my two boys aged 13 (seasoned pro) and 10 (first Hike) this weekend. We saw 3 goats at the camp-site which was pretty special. Had the camp all to ourselves. Easy to find the way with the direction. A bit tricky in places, but nothing we couldn’t handle. Good distance. Took us 3hrs 15 min on way in but only 2hrs 30 min on way out. Go figure!! Great hike would do it again for sure.
It is a fantastic hike, especially with the kids. My boys loved it and spent a lot of time exploring around Mine Camp.
Just completed this. Really nice time of year for it. The river is flowing well, making for a very scenic stroll.