Distance: 12 Km | Duration: 5 Hrs | Grade: TBA | Rating: | Style: Circuit | Map
About the Walk
Overview
Starting and finishing at O'Briens Crossing, This is, at times, a challenging walk following the east bank of the Lerderderg River, returning via ridges above the river.
The Walk in Detail
From O'Briens Crossing cross the ford and locate the signposted East Walk. The track meanders and undulates downstream along the east bank of the river through a mixture of light forest and patches of gorse. The track passes remnants of nineteenth century gold mining activity, including diggings, water races, mullock heaps and collapsed adits. At times the track traverses close to the water, and some caution is required at times of high river levels. A suggested lunch spot is the campsite at Mine Camp, an open, flat level area on the right,
opposite Nolan Track.
After lunch continue downstream until the track climbs above the river to the junction with Cowan Track. Follow Cowan Track steeply north up a spur until it becomes a 4WD track at the top of the spur. Continue north along Cowan Track for 4km until it joins O'Briens Road. Follow O'Briens Road north west for 1km to the Short Cut walking track. Descend westerly down Short Cut Track until it re-joins O'Briens Road. Continue down O'Briens Road to O'Briens Crossing.
Getting There
Drive to Blackwood on the Western Highway via Melton and Bacchus Marsh, taking the Greendale-Myrninong Rd turn-off from the highway and then the Greendale-Trentham Rd to approximately 2km south of Blackwood and turn into O'Briens Road. Follow O'Briens Road east for approximately 5.5km to O'Briens Crossing. The walk starts and finishes from this point. Parking is available on the west bank of the river.Walk Precautions
At times of high river levels short sections of the East Walk along the river might become inundated. This track is also narrow in places, with some sections of instability.
Additional Information
Blackwood Recreation Reserve: 
O'Brien's Crossing:
