The Lerderderg Heritage River Walk, James Cann Reserve, Blackwood, starts near Garden of St Erth, looping along the Lerderderg River. Enjoy a leisurely walk through changing forest landscapes and along the mountain ash-strewn ridges above the flowing Lerderderg River. There is a wide variety of flora to be seen, and sometimes Koalas can be spotted in the area. Your four-legged friends are welcome but must be kept on a leash. The area has a gold mining history, and there are some deep unfenced mine shafts. The track can get muddy after heavy rains, and there are a few fallen trees and overgrown sections, but it is otherwise well maintained and easy to navigate. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start
At the intersection of Simmons Reef Road & Lerderderg Heritage River Walk (-37.4775771,144.290959)
Keep left onto Western Highway Offramp and drive for another 410 m
Keep right onto Western Highway Offramp and drive for another 120 m
Turn right onto Ballarat Road, 8 and drive for another 5.4 km
Continue onto Western Highway, 8 and drive for another 43.5 km
Keep left onto Myrniong - Trentham Road Offramp and drive for another 470 m
Keep right onto Myrniong - Trentham Road Offramp and drive for another 40 m
Turn right onto Greendale-Myrniong Road, C318 and drive for another 6.4 km
At roundabout, take exit 3 onto High Street, C318 and drive for another 10.8 km
Turn left onto Simmons Reef Road and drive for another 135 m
Keep left onto Simmons Reef Road and drive for another 305 m
Keep right onto Simmons Reef Road and drive for another 980 m
Keep left onto Simmons Reef Road and drive for another 590 m
Turn right onto Simmons Reef Road and drive for another 40 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Turn map
Directions & comments
At the intersection of Simmons Reef Road & Lerderderg Heritage River Walk Start heading along Lerderderg Heritage River Walk (a walking track).
There is a car park (about 20 m back from the start).
After another 175 m (at the intersection of Lerderderg Heritage River Walk & Simonds Reef Road (Lerderderg Track)) turn right, to head along Simonds Reef Road (Lerderderg Track) (a vehicle track).
After another 60 m (at the intersection of Lerderderg Road & Simonds Reef Road (Lerderderg Track)) turn left, to head along Lerderderg Heritage River Walk (a walking track).
After another 6 m pass the sign (on your left).
After another 1.7 km (at the intersection of New Sultan Mine Track & Lerderderg Heritage River Walk) continue straight, to head along Lerderderg Heritage River Walk.
After another 1.1 km continue straight, to head along Lerderderg Heritage River Walk.
After another 770 m continue straight, to head along Lerderderg Heritage River Walk.
After another 135 m head down the steps (about 35 m long)
After another 100 m (at the intersection of Lerderderg Heritage River Walk & Lerderderg Track) continue straight, to head along Lerderderg Heritage River Walk.
After another 370 m (at the intersection of Lerderderg Road & Lerderderg Heritage River Walk) veer left, to head along Lerderderg Road (a vehicle track).
After another 85 m (at the intersection of Lerderderg Road & Lerderderg Heritage River Walk) continue straight, to head along Lerderderg Heritage River Walk (a walking track).
After another 1.1 km (at the intersection of Lerderderg Heritage River Walk & Ottie Track) continue straight, to head along Lerderderg Heritage River Walk.
After another 1.2 km continue straight, to head along Lerderderg Heritage River Walk.
After another 430 m (at the intersection of Lerderderg Road & Lerderderg Heritage River Walk) continue straight, to head along Lerderderg Heritage River Walk.
After another 780 m (at the intersection of Lerderderg Road & Lerderderg Heritage River Walk) continue straight, to head along Lerderderg Heritage River Walk.
After another 660 m (at the intersection of Simonds Reef Road & Lerderderg Heritage River Walk) turn right, to head along Simonds Reef Road (a vehicle track).
After another 110 m pass the car park (20 m on your left).
After another 60 m continue straight, to head along Simmons Reef Road.
After another 35 m come to a toilet.
After another 15 m come to the end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Lerderderg Heritage River Walk
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
8.9 km
Time
2 h 45 min to 4 h 30 min
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient
Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)