Lerderderg Heritage River and Whipstick Loop is a 15km, grade 3 hike located in Wombat State Forest, Victoria. The hike should take around 5 hours to complete.
Hike overview
The Heritage and Whipstick Circuit is a combination of the Whipstick Loop Walk and the Lerderderg Heritage River Walk. The 15km trail can be taken in any direction. The combined circuit commences opposite Garden of St Erth at Simmons Reef.
Lerderderg Heritage River Walk: Most of this section of the walk follows old water races along the upper reaches of the Lerderderg River to Crown Dam site before returning through dry open bush.
Whipstick Loop Walk: This section of the walk is situated in the Wombat State Forest and traverses part of the Great Dividing Trail but then loops down around Whipstick Creek through some beautiful open eucalypt forest, to bring you back to your starting point at the Blackwood Pub.
Along the walk there is historical evidence of various types of mining with both vertical and horizontal shafts. All of the mining in the area was conducted by hand in very difficult conditions. There is a fenced area with a viewing platform along the track, where you can safely view one of the old mine shafts. Take the time to look and appreciate the extent of works undertaken but for your safety, please stick to the track.
Further along the trail you will also get to walk along the remnants of a water-race, Miners hand dug these trenches to direct water both to and from their mine workings. At one section of the track a boardwalk has been constructed around an old tree through which the miners once diverted the water course. There is also evidence of a structure that once spanned the creek that may have been a tramway or bridge foundations.
Route and GPX file
Max elevation: 646 m
Min elevation: 576 m
Total climbing: 444 m
Total descent: -445 m
Trail location
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Getting there
The historic town of Blackwood is 88km from Melbourne via the Western Hwy. Located opposite Garden of St Erth at Simmons Reef, Blackwood in the Wombat State Forest. From Melbourne Blackwood is 88 km via the Western Hwy and north of Myrniong and Greendale. Head west from Blackwood on Simmons Reef Road for 2km to the Jack Cann Reserve, from where the walk commences. The trail head is located approximately 1.5 hours from Melbourne and approximately 40 minutes from Ballarat. The walk is also easily accessed from the towns of Daylesford, Trentham and Woodend.
About the region
The Wombat State Forest is located between Woodend and Daylesford, at the Great Dividing Range. The forest is approximately 70,000 hectares (170,000 acres) in size. It is a magnet for the adventurous, with walking and cycling trails, four-wheel driving, trail bike riding, camping and wildlife spotting. You can explore to your hearts content.
A notable feature of Wombat State Forest is the extent of mineral springs which account for over 80% of Australia's mineral springs. The mineral waters are rich in calcium, silica, magnesium, iron and sulphur. The volcanic activity of the region has supplemented the creation of mineral water €“ carbon dioxide mix that is seen in the form of bubbles emerging from the springs.
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Explore Safe
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.
Let someone know
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.
Gear to consider
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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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.
3 Reviews on “Lerderderg Heritage River & Whipstick Loop Hike (15km)”
Serene Silva add to list! 😀
Shane Mervin dude this isn’t too far from ya!
Yes!!!!
Did this hike on the weekend 19/05/18. Nice track and and not to hard. Plenty to see and explore, lots of Mushrooms and fungi about jyou just need to keep your eyes peeled. Not to much in the scheme of uphill/ downhill. some nice vistas along the way especially the Heritage river track sections. saw 1 large tree that had fallen over one of the creek crossing bridges that needs to be removed. overall a good hike and perfect for young bushwalkers. Added bonus was the Blackwood hotel celebrating 150 years so a well deserved pint at the end of the walk.
Done deal. Going to be a big day haha
D’Wayne Saunders
For those that like to hike/pack with their dogs, you will potentially lose this option IF it has a change of status to National Park per interim VEAC recommendations.
Grant Smith
Jill when??
I need this on my life (followed by a parma)
Jordy Pilgrim
Just completed this hike over the long weekend. Really enjoyable. Worth noting that the GPX file is valuable. There are a number of tracks leading off in other directions particularly in the Heritage section. Even with the GPX we still managed to go off course a few times!
Josh Mitchell
Kate Southall have you done this one before?
Liz Maggs Smith time for a hike
No but I’ll check it out!!
Paul Noy James Thomas looks good
Planning this in the next few weeks.
Rosemary Andrykanus Hi there,
Trail Hiking Australia is currently offline due to the introduction of new search tools.
I had hoped this would be completed yesterday but seems not to be the case. I am sorry for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.
If you need anything urgently for this weekend, please email me at [email protected]
Cheers
Darren Edwards
I hope there are wombats and it’s not just a name
Jill