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.
The Scenic Rim is a 16.1 km circuit through Lerderderg State Park in Victoria that offers a demanding yet deeply rewarding hiking experience. Typically taking around six hours to complete, this grade 4 trail is best suited to those with a solid level of fitness and experience navigating steep, uneven terrain. The route includes sustained climbs, rocky descents, and water crossings that may leave you with wet feet depending on the river’s flow. It’s a hike that requires effort, but one that reveals some of the park’s most striking and secluded features.
Lerderderg State Park is defined by the deep gorge carved by the Lerderderg River as it cuts through the Great Dividing Range. The river has shaped the land into a dramatic corridor of sandstone and slate, dropping up to 300 metres in places. The vegetation shifts with the contours — dry, open forest covers the ridgelines, while the riverbanks offer cooler, greener pockets that feel worlds away from the exposed high ground. Along the trail, you may spot wallabies, birdlife, goats and the occasional snake. Scattered remains of old gold workings are a quiet reminder of the region’s history and add a layer of curiosity to the walk.
The hike loosely follows the river’s course in a wide loop, passing Grahams Dam before beginning the first major climb out of the valley along Spur Track. With around four kilometres of sustained ascent across the hike, including two steep climbs from the river just after Grahams Dam via Spur Track and later from the weir along Long Point Track, the route offers plenty of physical challenge. The descent down Link 1 Track back to Grahams Dam is especially demanding — a 1.3 km stretch of loose, rocky terrain that requires careful footing and patience.
For hikers who enjoy solitude, rugged beauty, and the satisfaction of a hard-won view, the Scenic Rim delivers in full. It’s a route that invites you to slow down and engage with the environment — to notice the shifting colours of the rocks, the way the bush changes with elevation, and the sound of the river threading through the gorge below. While it’s not an easy outing, the sense of remoteness and raw natural beauty make it a standout experience for those keen to explore one of Victoria’s more untamed corners.
Grade 4 (Hard) -
Challenging Walks for Experienced Walkers: Grade 4 on the
AWTGS signifies challenging walking tracks. Bushwalking experience is recommended for these tracks, which may be long, rough, and very steep. Directional signage may be limited, requiring a good sense of navigation. These walks are suited for experienced walkers who are comfortable with steeper inclines, rougher terrain, and potentially longer distances.
- Trail can be taken in any direction.
- The river is prone to flooding so avoid after heavy rains.
- Walking poles will be beneficial.
- This is a challenging walk in the Lerderderg Gorge and is for experienced bush walkers only. It is best to do the walk when the river is fairly low, as many crossings are necessary and at times the riverbed itself is the track. Here you can experience remote, unspoiled bush land.
- Map used: Lerderderg and Werribee Gorges by Meridian.
Total distance: 16113 m
Max elevation: 531 m
Min elevation: 142 m
Total climbing: 878 m
Total descent: -878 m
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Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take.
Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.
Getting to the trailhead: Lerderderg State Park.
MacKenzies Flat Picnic Area, located at the southern end of Lerderderg State Park, is easily accessible from Melbourne and serves as the trailhead for various walks in the park. To get there, take the M8 Western Freeway towards Ballarat and exit at Bacchus Marsh (Exit 16). From the exit, follow Bacchus Marsh Road and turn right onto Grant Street, which transitions into Bacchus Marsh-Gisborne Road. After approximately 3 kilometers, turn left onto Lerderderg Gorge Road and continue until the road ends at MacKenzies Flat. This scenic area, surrounded by native bushland, offers facilities such as car parking, toilets, picnic tables, and barbecues. While perfect for a picnic or as a base for exploring the park, note that camping and dogs are not permitted in the picnic area.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
- 2WD Access
- Bitumen Road
- Winding Road
- Large Car Park
- Public Toilets
- Picnic Shelter
- Picnic Table
Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.
Nearby towns: Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Blackwood, Bullengarook, Coimadai, Darley, Daylesford, Gisborne, Kyneton, Macarthur, Macedon, Maddingley, Melton, Myrniong, Sunbury, Trentham, Woodend
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.
Looking for more walks in or near Lerderderg State Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
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6 Reviews on “The Scenic Rim Circuit Hike (16.1km)”
What a wonderful walk. A couple of really steep sections where I had to take a few breaks but it offers stunning views over the gorge. Well worth it. Took us 6 hours at a steady pace.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Excellent circuit hike, both the Spur Track and the Long Point Track are highlights, as is the trail along the river at the start/end. Long Point Track in particular has wonderful views in all directions near the bottom, with the river on both sides of the spur. A lovely day out. Took me 6 hours (including about 30 minutes of resting) for lunch and a breather at the top of Long Point..
Totally agree. I loved long point track the most. Great spot to stop for a snack and great views near the rocky outcrop.
It is a great spot for a snack. Such incredible views from there.
Ben??
Helen Humphrey looks good!
Sally Morrison Heather Whitaker Helen Bryan another possible training hike?
Julie Aylward if you don’t mind me asking, are you training for something specific?
Trail Hiking Australia The Overland Track
Julie Aylward awesome. That’s a lot of fun. Hope it all goes well
Here’s a hike we can plan on doing later.
Tracy Lloyd-Walker
Sarah Noonan Tyler Jane
Louise Draper December!
Louise Draper https://www.gdt.org.au/tracks/lerderderg-track 😂😂
Sarah Noonan most of that’s a great walk. I did t like the section between the Lerderderg and Bacchus Marsh. It’s all bitumen road and foot paths. I’d recommend cutting it short at the end of Swans Road.
This is one of the Lerderderg classic circuit hikes. It is a long and quite varies hike with a lot of steep ascents and descents. The time of this hike should not be underestimated as I know people and groups who have taken up to 8 hours to complete this, sometimes in the dark. So its advisable to get an early start.
Thanks for writing up this hike. It was amazing.