The Great Dividing Trail is a hiking track that runs through the historical gold mining regions of Victoria. Located at the southern end of the Great Dividing Range, the entire trail is 280km long, made up of various smaller walks with numerous entry points.
The Lerderderg Track section of the trail is 80km long. It runs from Bacchus Marsh to Daylesford, through Lerderderg State Park, via Blackwood.
The Great Dividing Trail Association fund and maintain the trail, and they recommend the Lerderderg Track for experienced walkers with good map reading and GPS skills and equipment. While some parts of the track have become popular for mountain biking, please note that not all locations are suitable for this.
Rising in the Great Dividing Range, the Lerderderg River has cut a 300 metre deep gorge through sandstone and slate, almost bisecting Lerderderg State Park. The park has a wide variety of vegetation and wildlife and some interesting relics of goldmining. Lerderderg State Park offers a true bush experience. Walking is the best way to get to know the park - there are several tracks for a range of walks from short, easy strolls to strenuous overnight hikes for experienced bushwalkers.
Due to its various entry points, and the fact that one of these entrances is conveniently located opposite the Blackwood General Store in the centre of town, the track can be completed as a day walk.
There is mobile phone coverage available for some providers along certain parts of the track, but blackspots do occur and coverage can't be guaranteed.
