Distance: 15 Km   |  Duration: 6 Hrs   |  Grade: TBA   |  Rating:   |  Style: Return   |  Map
About the Walk
Overview
A walk that takes in attractive forest and old mining areas on a well graded track<br />in the Lerderderg State Park including a visit to the Tunnel
The Walk in Detail
From the Blackwood Recreation Reserve, return to the Greendale Trentham Road and head 50m North to Martin St, and follow this North 200m to Golden Point Road (Blackwood Hotel is on the corner). Walk East along Golden Point Road for approximately 2.5km to the start of Byers Back Track and the Lerderderg State Forest.
Walk South East along Byers Back Track for approximately 4.5km, following the track around gullies above the Lerderderg River through attractive bush-land with evidence of previous mining activity along the way, passing Deadmans Track, Websters Track and Kangaroo Track until you come to Gribble Track (sign posted).
Walk down Gribbles Track 200m to The Tunnel. This is a long tunnel cut through solid rock by miners in the 1850s to divert the Lerderderg River from a bend and allow easier access to the gold-bearing riverbed. "The Tunnel" was excavated to divert the river flow under a spur to allow alluvial mining of the river bed. A good spot for lunch.
After lunch retrace the same route back to the Blackwood 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
Additional Information
Blackwood Recreation Reserve: