Paradise Mill Circuit

ParadiseMill1

NB. The following information was current at the time of the event

Distance:  20 Km   |  Duration:  6.5 Hrs   |  Grade:  TBA   |  Rating:    |  Style:  Circuit   |  Map

About the Walk

Overview

A long circuit walk through Wombat State Forest starting from the Blackwood Recreation Reserve, which will visit some disused mines, a sawmill site and also will offer some views.

The Walk in Detail

This walk is rated as Hard due to the distance rather than difficulty of the walk.

From the Reserve follow the Great Dividing Trail south to the Garden of St Erth.  Take the Easter Monday Track west to south west for approx 1.5km. Follow a small track south west to the bottom of Easter Monday Mine, then bushbash north back to Easter Monday Track to the other entrance of Easter Monday Mine. Continue west along Easter Monday Track until New Ottie Track is reached, turn left and walk south for 300m to Blackwood Ridge Rd. Here a footpad south of the intersection is to be followed south west to German Track. After 100m the footpad becomes indistinct.

Walk off track in a south west direction for 100m to German Track. At this point an excellent view of the surrounding countryside can be seen, and a good spot for morning tea has been reached. Follow German Track south to south west for approx 2.5km to Paradise Rd, turn right and follow this road west for 500m, then turn north into Paradise Track.  After 400m along this track you come to remnants of a disused mill called Paradise Mill.  Edward Blake was the first Mill owner in 1879. The tramway to site was constructed in 1936 from Binks Road by George O'Hehir and is still visible.  Sawdust heap and other unspecified remains can also be seen.  Here is an excellent spot for lunch.

After lunch return south to Paradise Rd. and continue south along the track opposite to Paradise Track for 650m to a track intersection. Follow the south east track for 50m, take the bike track to the left for 50m, then the vague track south east to Pipe Track. Take Pipe Track north east for 900m back to Paradise Rd. Turn right and follow Paradise Rd east for 200m and take Swinlee Track north east for 1.2km and turn east into Welcome Track.

Follow Welcome Track east for 1km and then north for 500m where Welcome Mine will be reached. After a visit to the mine return to the track and continue north to north east for 400m until Blackwood Ridge Rd is reached. Turn right and walk along this road 500m east where a track just before private property can be seen. Follow this track north 600m, east then north again for 1.1km.

This track leads back to the GDTA trail and can then be followed in reverse, north east to north back to the Recreation Reserve.

 

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 Blackwood.  The walk starts and finishes at the Blackwood Recreation Reserve.  Click here for a map of Blackwood showing the recreation reserve.

Walk Precautions

This walk involves some off track walking. Long pants or gaiters may be preferred but are not essential.

Additional Information

Blackwood Recreation Reserve:  APV002 - Toilets APV007 - Picnic Shelter


Yes
Central Victoria

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