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  2. Lerderderg Gorge via Link Tracks 1 and 2 (8.2km)
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  • Length: 8.2km

  • Duration: 3hrs

  • Grade: 4

  • Style: Circuit

  • Start: Mackenzies Flat Picnic area

  • End: Mackenzies Flat Picnic area

  • Location: Lerderderg State Park

  • Closest Town: Bacchus Marsh

  • Distance from CBD: 67km

  • State: VIC

  • Latitude: -37.59997048

  • Longitude: 144.4079738

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Untreated Water
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Lerderderg State Park...

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Lerderderg Gorge via Link Tracks 1 and 2 is a 8.2km, grade 4 circuit hike, located in the Lerderderg State Park, Victoria. The hike should take approximately 3hrs to complete.

Hike Summary

This Lerderderg Gorge via Link Tracks 1 and 2 hike starts at the Mackenzies Flat Picnic area and follows the Lerderderg River towards Graham's Dam.

Follow the river upstream from Mackenzies Flat Picnic Area to Grahams Dam, which is an attractive pool ideal for swimming. The track along the river up until Graham's Dam is fairly well traveled and easy to follow. Cross the river at this point and continue along the eastern river bank upstream for approximately 600m (trail marker LER503). Beyond Graham's Dam it is slightly overgrown in places but still easy enough to follow.

Continue past this point along the eastern banks of the river to trail marker LER504. It is worth noting that any mapping system I have used actually shows the Link No. 2 track as starting further around this spur. They are all incorrect and the trail actually commences at the marker. Ascent the broad and steep spur via Link 2 Track to the top of the range. Care should be taken on the climb as it is steep and can be slippery in places. The track is easy to follow with a few rock scrambles and has the occasional orange marker on trees to keep you on track. Make sure you stop along the climb to appreciate the view behind you and through the river gorge.

Turn left when you reach the Blackwood Ranges Track and continue along for approximately 400m until you reach Link Track No. 1. on your left.  The Blackwood Ranges track is a well made vehicle track which follows relatively level ground.  From this point you will descend back into the gorge along Link Track No. 1, a steep, easy to follow but occasionally rocky track.

Once you arrive back at Graham's Dam simply follow the river track back to Mackenzies Flat. The alternative is to do the circuit in reverse order from Grahams Dam but I believe the Link No. 2 track is easier to ascend than No. 1

About the region

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.

Tips

  • Make sure you are prepared with water, compass and a good map.
  • Map I used: Lerderderg and Werribee Gorges by Meridian.

GPX File

Total distance: 8220 m
Max elevation: 445 m
Min elevation: 142 m
Total climbing: 451 m
Total descent: -450 m
Download GPX File

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52 thoughts on “Lerderderg Gorge via Link Tracks 1 and 2 (8.2km)”

  1. Great Trail!,
    The climb is challenging, I do not recommend playing tennis the day before but it was worth it!
    Looking to do it again with more water in the river

  2. Good track, great views.. when you do the circuit start from right hand side facing through circuit sign after you cross the river at Grahams damage. . The hike the other way will be hard as the track can be slippery when wet. Highly recommended good for wet weather.

    1. Jo Tyson it does. Shame we missed that crossing and bush bashed up beside Link 2 on Sunday morning. Good for the soul but I am sore!

    1. Done a 15 k hike there. Many tracks there. Even over night hikes. It’s a truly amazing place, with magnificent views. You can walk a Kim up hill. But I wouldn’t go there in snake season. Some tracks are very natural with no real clear markings. I have an app that I use that I follow

  33. Really nice walk with great views.

    It can get pretty challenging, and with a baby on my back, i’m very grateful we did the loop clockwise. There’s more to hold on to, and less loose gravel on the northern (Link Track 2) section.

  34. Hi all

    First time on the site. Just completed this walk.
    Might be good to point out that you’ll need to Ford the river at both LER502 and LER503. Plenty of fording on this walk 😊. With today’s river height you would have very wet feet if you were in trainers (most people I saw on the trail were in trainers) . I’m glad I waxed my leather boots 🥾 last night, before the hike.

    In the hike summary, the author mentions that the Link 2 starts at LER504. It doesn’t really if you’re following the map 🗺 but it was a nice, but steep, shortcut that got you up to the spur. Once you get to the top, start heading southbound and be careful of being waylaid by the Link 2 orange trail markers (ended up going back north by mistake for a bit).

    I was using the Avenza app with the parks Victoria map 🗺

    1. Welcome to the site Jonathan and thanks for your comments. The link 2 track actually has two ascents. Parks Vic had never identified any of them so this trail covers the one that starts at LER504. Since erecting signage for the circuit walk they have now identified the track further to the north as a route. Both are shown on all maps I have.

      Thanks again for tour comments

      Cheers Darren Edwards

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