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  • Length: 16km

  • Duration: 6hrs

  • Grade: 3

  • Style: Circuit

  • Start: MacKenzies Flat Picnic Area

  • End: MacKenzies Flat Picnic Area

  • Location: Lerderderg State Park

  • Closest Town: Bachhus Marsh

  • Distance from CBD: 75km

  • State: VIC

  • Latitude: -37.6156707314

  • Longitude: 144.42543415

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The Scenic Rim and River via Spur Track is a 16km, grade 3 Circuit hike located in Lerderderg State Park Victoria. The hike should take approximately 6hrs to complete.

Summary

The Scenic Rim and River via Spur Track hike is a difficult 16km circuit . The trail includes water crossings (possibility of your feet getting wet unless river is dry), one steep and steady climb our of the river from Grahams Dam and a significant river section back to Grahams Dam on loose and possibly wet terrain.

Follow the river upstream from Mackenzies Flat Picnic Area to Grahams Dam, which is an attractive pool ideal for swimming. Cross the river at this point and continue along the eastern river bank upstream for approximately 600m (trail marker LER503). Turn right and ascent the 1.6km Spur Track to the top of the range. Turn left when you reach the Lerderderg Tunnel Access Track and follow this a short distance to the track junction. Keep left and pass through the Southern Rural Water gate and descend into the weir below via the well made access road.

From the weir Head down the stairs and head south along the Lerderderg river. The level of the water and surrounding area will dictate the path you take as you pick your way along the river and its banks. There are no trail markers in this section ao take time to look ahead and plan which side to take. There are a few places where there is a cliff on either side that would need to be avoided so use your best judgement Once you arrive back at Graham’s Dam simply follow the river track back to Mackenzies Flat.

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 Gisbourne then turn left along Lerderderg Gorge Road and follow it 5.4kms to Mackenzies Flat picnic area.

Tips

  • The amount of water in the river will dictate how difficult this is. If it is low it should be quite straightforward, but if the river is full it will be much more challenging. Therefore, if there is a lot of water, then add an extra hour or so to it.
  • There can be many snakes in the area so do keep a look out for them.

 

Total distance: 16030 m
Max elevation: 464 m
Min elevation: 142 m
Total climbing: 771 m
Total descent: -769 m
Download GPX File   You need to be registered and logged in to download GPX Files. If you aren't you will automatically be redirected to the registration/login screen before being returned to this page to download the file. By downloading any GPX files from this site you agree its use, and reliance upon, is entirely at your own risk. I will endeavour to ensure the accuracy and currency of the data, but accept no responsibility in this regard, or the results of any actions taken, when using the digital route files. If you are a commercial operator, a member of a club, an online group, blogger or commercial website and wish to use these digital downloads, my eBooks, any information from this site or printed publications you are required to first seek written permission from the copyright owner. Please read the Terms of Use, Copyright and Title of Ownership information.

 

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53 thoughts on “The Scenic Rim and River via Spur Track (16km)”

    1. I’m based in Victoria so most of the hikes are currently in VIC. I certainly welcome any submissions from NSW and other states so feel free to suggest some. Good idea to put the state in the headline. I’ll have to work on that as I’ll have to go back through close to 300 hikes and do it manually.

  23. Just did this one by myself today. Did not have to take my shoes off once. Most likely because it hasn’t rained significantly recently. Wear sturdy shoes, pants and long sleeve if possible. Get ready to figure your own path through thick scrub. It was well worth it. I wouldn’t recommend doing it by yourself like I did though, just in case something happens.. I counted 9 campsites along the river. One had a fantastic swimming hole. I have the GPX file and waypoints of the campsites if anyone plans on making it an overnight hike.




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If you are a commercial operator, a member of a club, an online group, blogger or commercial website and wish to use any information from this site, my eBooks or printed publications you are required to first seek written permission from the copyright owner. Please read the Terms of Use, Copyright and Title of Ownership information here.