Blackwood Back Creek to St Erth Walk

Blackwood Back Creek to St Erth Walk created by blackwombatwalks

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Summary

A 2 hr loop from central Blackwood to Garden of St Erth taking in the Back Creek section of the Great Dividing Trail (GDT) returning via Quicks Rd, a quiet 2-wheel drive track, and Simmons Reef Rd.

Description

This walk heads off from the Blackwood Post Office along Simmons Reef Road for about 0.5 km and then turns up Skinners Road and ventures off along a footpad into the Wombat State Forest. The footpad is all that remains of a water race (aqueduct), hand-dug in the 1850s by miners to direct water both to and from their mine workings. Take a breather and look 10 metres up or down to spot other water races -80 miles were hand-dug around Blackwood.

After 0.5 kms, you will intersect the longer Whipstick Loop (not described in these notes). The junction of the Whipstick and Back Creek trails can be confusing to some. To make sure you’re on the Back Creek loop, take the sharp right fork (heading North - back over your shoulder), this will take you down to Back Creek.

Venture down this track and you will cross a delightful little wooden footbridge, and then follow Back Creek on its Northern bank. This section of the walk takes you up and down through ferny rainforest glades. Watch your footing, however, as the track can be mossy. Depending on the time of year, keep your eyes open for the different types of red capped mushrooms and bracket fungi that may be present.

Along the walk there is also evidence of various types of mining dating from the 1840s with both vertical and horizontal shafts (with openings call “adits”) and information boards denoting some of the equipment used in the area. All of the mining in the area was conducted by hand in very cold and difficult conditions.

After leaving Back Creek, you will plod up a short sharp incline to the back of the Garden of St Erth. Before the carpark, there are toilets and picnic tables in the Jack Cann Reserve.

Take the time to stop here for a coffee or lunch, browse the well-stocked nursery and gift shop, pay to enter the garden reserve to see a fabulous display of espaliered trees and daffodils in Spring. Or, for free, stroll around the berry gardens surrounded traditional-style wattle-daub and wire fence.

To return to Blackwood by a different route, from the carpark follow the gravel road up behind the café to the North East, and follow the back perimeter of the Garden of St Erth, passing by the garden sheds and a pond. Follow the track into the open dry eucalypt forest. The path you will take is not well formed but heads directly to the top of the hill. Ignore the two “better made” roads to the left and continue straight to the top of the hill.

A delightful surprise just at the top is a disused miner’s log cabin, Baldy’s Hut. The hut is a well preserved and a living reminder of the basic life that was lived out in the bush.

Continue along the gravel road for approximately 0.8 km and you will join Simmons Reef Road, from here turn East and head back to Blackwood (approx 1.2 km) along the side of the Simmons Reef Road.

Take care crossing the Greendale Trentham Road at the fire refuge, stroll down Martin Street back to the centre of town, Post Office, hotel and cafe.

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Points of Interest

1. Blackwood Streetscape

The historic village of Blackwood is located in the scenic Macedon Ranges between Ballan and Trentham. Blackwood Hotel and Blackwood Merchant are central to town, Garden of St Erth & Mineral Springs

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