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Length: 7.6km
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Duration: 4hrs
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Grade: 3
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Style: Circuit
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Start: Meikles Point Picnic area
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End: Meikles Point Picnic area
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Location: Werribee Gorge State Park
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Closest Town: Bacchus Marsh
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Distance from CBD: 69km
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State: VIC
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Latitude: -37.67135417
Longitude: 144.361355
Keep the Trail Access info current...
Gravel Road
Winding Road
Large Car Park
Public Toilets
Untreated Water
Picnic Table
Campfire Pit
Public Transport
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
Rough Trail
Undefined Trail
Rock Scrambling
Steep Terrain
Scenic Viewpoints
Swimming Spots
Well Marked
Overnight Campsites
Exposed Ledges
Werribee Gorge State Park...
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
Hike Summary
This Werribee Gorge Circuit via the Shelter Shed hike explores the length of the Werribee Gorge. Starting at Meikles Point Picnic area follow the Werribee River to the west until reaching the Short Circuit track to the right. The Short Circuit track ascends a wide gully before climbing onto the ridge via a disused management track. this part of the trail is a variation of the Short Circuit trail so the track is not clearly defined. At the top of the ridge you will come across The Shelter Shed, built in 1908. From this point you follow an old vehicle trail north back to Short Circuit track. Turn left at the junction then left again at the Werribee Gorge Circuit trail. Continue to walk west via Eastern viewpoint, for views of the Island, past picture point, which overlooks Needles Beach, and on to Western Viewpoint where you can take in a view of the Werribee river below. From Western Viewpoint the trail then descents into the gorge via a rocky but well defined trail. Poles will be useful in this section.
Follow the trail along the eastern side of the river above Blackwood pool. The trail beyond this point follows the Werribee River through the gorge. It is a well defined trail with some rocky sections, a brief scramble up a rocky ledge and a cable traverse over a rocky outcrop. After completing the cable traverse you have now faced the more challenging obstacles of the hike. From this point the trail is quite easy passing Needles Beach, Lions Head Beach and back to Meikles Point via a disused water channel which was built between 1926 and 1929 to supply irrigation to the local area.
About the region
Werribee Gorge is a wild, rugged natural beauty shaped by 500 million years of geological history. A range of challenging walks amid the steep, river-washed gorge and surrounding rocky ridges offer spectacular views and access to a rock-climbing site within the park. The main feature of this park is the Werribee Gorge, through which the Werribee River meanders. This gorge has acquired some renown throughout the 20th century for its geological value.
Werribee Gorge has attracted the attention of geologists as one of the earliest known ancient glacial deposits, parts of which can be seen. The 200m deep gorge was formed about a million years ago when movements along a fault in the Earth's crust steepened the river's gradient. Since then the stream has continued to deepen the gorge through underlying rock to ancient sediments deposited in a sea more than 400 million years ago. Other geological events that have since occurred include the advance and retreat of an ice sheet and the inflow of volcanic lava.
Getting there
Follow the Western Highway past Bacchus Marsh to the Pentland Hills exit (5km beyond Bacchus Marsh). At the end of the exit ramp turn right to pass under the freeway. Turn left onto Pentland Hills Road. After passing under the freeway again turn left onto Myers Road and follow it down to the Werribee Gorge State Park. Continue onto the gravel road at the end of the sealed section and follow this to its end at Meikles Point Picnic area. There is ample parking and pit toilets.
Tips
- Trail can be taken in any direction.
- The river is prone to flooding so avoid after heavy rains.
- Walking poles will be beneficial.
- Be mindful of snakes and hit weather during the summer months
GPX File
Max elevation: 348 m
Min elevation: 147 m
Total climbing: 426 m
Total descent: -425 m
Hikes Nearby
9 thoughts on “Werribee Gorge Circuit via the Shelter Shed (7.6km)”
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Interesting…did not know of this little diversion…
Found it by accident one day. Decided to walk up the spur instead of the track and there was the shed. Pretty cool, going to take the boys there camping one night
I heard about this just recently too?
Yep, this is a beauty. Has the feel of the NT MacDonnell Range.
Ahhh that explains why it’s my favourite park in Victoria. Love the raw beauty of the NT
Please bring a bag and help pick up rubbish if you do this trail! So many cigarette butts every time I come here! It’s beautiful, but popular and get terrible litter problems.
This track is always a lot of fun, a couple of good views and a bit of variety in the scenery.
Georgia Kate Psaila
Dale Psaila Nic and I have done this one.