Lerderderg Heritage River Walk (9km)

This scenic heritage trail in the Wombat State Forest meanders along the Lerderderg River, through wet forest and ferny gullies, blackwoods and eucalypts. Lerderderg Heritage Walk starts at the Jack Cann Reserve opposite the Garden of St Erth in Blackwood. This walk takes you on part of the Great Dividing Trail. 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.

This area was once a bustling gold mining region. You may find traces of old water races that follow the contours of the land. Miners hand dug these trenches to direct water both to and from their mining areas. Remains of vertical timber slabs that once held the earthen wall of the Crown Dam are 4km west of Simmons Reef. This dam also supplied water via a race to a mine at the Simmons Reef Goldfield.

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.