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Length: 3.5km
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Duration: 1-2hrs
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Grade: 2
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Style: Return
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Start: Mackenzies Flat
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End: Mackenzies Flat
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Location: Lerderderg State Park
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Closest Town: Bacchus Marsh
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Distance from CBD: 75km
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State: VIC
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Latitude: -37.6151545417
Longitude: 144.4251169525
Keep the Trail Access info current...
2WD Access
Bitumen Road
Winding Road
Large Car Park
Public Toilets
Picnic Shelter
Picnic Table
Untreated Water
BBQ Facilities
Select items to indicate conditions for access to the trail.
2WD Access
4WD Access
Public Transport
Bitumen Road
Gravel Road
Steep Road
Winding Road
Speed Bumps
Vehicle Ford
Entry Fee
Large Car Park
Small Car Park
Accessible Parking
Accessible Toilet
Public Toilets
Drinking Water
Untreated Water
Picnic Shelter
Picnic Table
BBQ Facilities
Campfire Pit
Camping Area
Keep the Trail Features current...
Gravel Path
Sandy Trail
River Crossings
Scenic Viewpoints
Well Marked
Untreated Water
Fishing Spots
Swimming Spots
Select items to indicate features found along the trail.
Concrete Path
Timber Boardwalk
Gravel Path
Sandy Trail
Rough Trail
Undefined Trail
Prams & Strollers
Manual Wheelchair
Motorised Wheelchair
Bicycle Trail
Mountain Bike Trail
Historic Rail Trail
Dog Friendly
Urban Walk
Coast & Beach
Historic Lighthouse
Waterfalls & Lakes
Rainforest Walk
Goldfields & Mining
Heritage Walk
Aboriginal Art
Alpine Region
Alpine Huts
Exposed Ledges
Rock Scrambling
Steep Terrain
Bush Bashing
River Crossings
Scenic Viewpoints
Well Marked
Drinking Water
Untreated Water
Fishing Spots
Swimming Spots
Overnight Campsites
Trail Running
Horse Riding
The Lerderderg Gorge Walk to Grahams Dam is a 3.5km, grade 2 return hike located in the Lerderderg State Park, Victoria. The hike should take approximately 1-2 hrs to complete.
This is a great walk for kids that commences at McKenzie’s Flat on the Lerderderg river and follows the river through the lower reaches of the Lederberg Gorge. It is a very pleasant short walk through the native forest with plenty of opportunities for swimming. This is a great walk for kids or anyone looking to get into nature as it is fairly short with there are lots of opportunities to explore.
The changes in the river levels between seasons are quite dramatic. In the winter and spring you will often find a reasonable flow but in the summer it can stop flowing and dry up completely in places. If you arrive to find the river is dry at McKenzie’s Flat don’t be too disheartened – there may still be some very pleasant waterholes upstream. If you are looking for a scenic walk alongside a flowing river, winter or spring is definitely the time to go.
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. This is a fantastic but very strenuous walk. The circuit provides access to some more remote sections of the gorge and also bypasses Lerderderg Weir.
Getting there
Follow the Western Freeway and turn left off at C704 the Bacchus Marsh -Gisborne exit (this is a clearly sign posted Freeway exit). Drive 1.8kms towards Gisborne then turn left along Lerderderg Gorge Road and follow it 5.4kms to Mackenzies Flat picnic area.
Tips
- The walk is mostly flat and easy, but it does involve fixed artificial stepping stones across the river at two different points, so it is not suitable for prams, wheelchairs or people with limited mobility.
- The river is prone to flooding so avoid after heavy rains.
- No Pets allowed
- Beyond Grahams Dam, there are a number of more challenging walking tracks. Do not attempt these unless you have the necessary navigation experience.
- Facilities at the trail-head include car parking, toilets, BBQ, picnic tables and a shelter with information signs.
Max elevation: 187 m
Min elevation: 144 m
Total climbing: 129 m
Total descent: -127 m
