Lal Lal Bungal Circuit is a 23.2km, grade 3 hike located in Lal Lal Bungal Historic Area, Victoria. The hike should take around 6 hours to complete.
Hike overview
The Lal Lal Bungal Circuit hike explores the many tracks of the Lal Lal Bungal Historic Area. Most of these tracks were created by the Lal Lal Iron Mining Company (formed in 1874) when it set up an iron ore quarry and smelting works. The mine reached its peak in 1884 when 1,600 tons of ore were smelted and 800 tons of pig iron were produced.
Commencing at the Blast Furnace picnic area near Ironmine road this circuit takes you north west into the Lal Lal State Forest with views over the Lal Lal Reservoir. After leaving the reservoir you can then explore the lower reaches of the state forest including the summits of Mount Doran (545m) and Champion Hill (520m) before returning to the picnic area.
After completing the circuit you can then drive a short distance to the Lal Lal Falls Scenic Reserve. The Lal Lal Falls are about 30m high are best after heavy rain. During prolonged dry periods the falls may not be flowing. Access to the falls is via a bitumen road and near the falls there is a small playground and a shelter with one table, BBQs, three seats and information boards. A big grassy area also has three un-shaded tables, water tap and toilets. There is a 200m walk to a viewing platform which has a long distance view of the falls or you can walk to the von Guerard viewing site which is a little further away,
Route and GPX file
Max elevation: 546 m
Min elevation: 401 m
Total climbing: 646 m
Total descent: -646 m
Tips
This is a great hike for families and kids as you can easily shorten it by short-cutting via the many tracks.
Trail location
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Getting there
Lal Lal is 130 kilometres west of Melbourne, on the Yendon Road south of Ballarat. You can either go into Ballarat on the Western Freeway, then head south on the Midland Highway to Clarendon, via Buninyong, and take the left-hand turn for Lal Lal; or leave the Western Freeway at Gordon or Ballan and take the roads to Mount Egerton, Yendon and Lal Lal. Follow the signs to the Lal Lal Falls and watch on the right for the small sign to the blast furnace. There is a car park, toilets, picnic tables and wood-burning barbecue facilities at the reserve.
Gallery
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About the region
The Lal Lal blast furnace ruins rate as one of the most important and highly significant sites of early industrial history in Australia. The blast furnace is the only one from the nineteenth century remaining in the Southern Hemisphere and it represents the only attempt to smelt iron ore in Victoria. It has an 'A' classification from the National Trust.
The Lal Lal blast furnace and iron mine are on Iron Mine Rd, at Lal Lal, near the spillway of the Bungal Dam. The ruins of the 17-metre-high furnace and the adjacent iron mine are clearly visible in the bush and information boards explain the operations of this amazing relic of early Victorian industry.
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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
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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 “Lal Lal Bungal Circuit Hike (23.2km)”
Did the walk today. It was mainly 4WD tracks, which were not difficult, but the total length made it quite a good exercise. As Justin mentioned, the reservior was closed to public, meaning that the picnic area can not be accessed from the Egerton side if driving from Melbourne (google map is not aware of the closure and still navigates through Thynes road). The picnic area can only be accessed from the Lal Lal side,
Really disappointed in this trail, exploerd 2/3, gave up and went to the falls. No real scenery due to tree coverage and the reservior is closed to the public. The blast furnace was worth the look though.
I did the walk clockwise and really enjoyed it. There was quite a bit of variation in fauna from the ridges down into the valleys and the heath was flowering nicely.
A word of warning for hikers with kids: i did come across some gold mining shafts that have not been filled in – notably on Champions Hill. They are big and obvious, but not safe for curious kids.