Lerderderg Gorge Overnight

[Watertank]

I did a day walk of the East Walk at Lerderderg Gorge a couple of weeks ago and I am now keen to go back and do a two day, one night walk . Either a circuit or one way with a car shuffle. I am fairly experienced but I don't want anything too difficult as my partner is relatively new to hiking with a pack. I have Glen Tempest's Western Gorges book and the excellent Meridian map to the area. Are there any recommendations for both a route and places to hike in and camp? Thanks

[GregR]

Perhaps just wander down from O'Brien's ( as you already did) and camp at Mine Camp, and then explore on day packs. Day 2 just stumble back out along the river rather than slog it out up Cowan track in full pack. There is a nice spot before the massive logjam that looks like it's been used for camping for an easy intro.

I was up there yesterday and the water level looks too high to walk up stream from the south end at McKenzies Flat to the dam.

Other than that , good luck.

Cheers,

Greg R

[Travis22]

Hi WT - Ive just done a little overnight hike at Lerderderg Gorge this weekend passed.

I purchased the Glen Tempest's Western Gorges book and the Lerderderg Meridian map on the way out there too lol.

We did the Circuit hike from Mackenzies flat up the Spur to the Weir, up Long Point and around and down the Link tk back to the Dam and Mackenzies Flat. We stayed overnight downstream from the Weir but honestly in the future id just camp near the Weir or just upstream of it. The 'nice' campsite downstream of the weir is getting pretty lumpy, a little overgrown and absolutely torn up by many Wombats. Access to the river is a bit painful negotiating flood debris etc. We also saw many Goats out there too.

The water height is fine. No need to remove shoes and you wont get wet feet anywhere out there on any of the crossings in this loop unless you fall in.

It was a very enjoyable overnight walk, the track is very clear but be warned the climb up the Spur track is pretty grueling if like us you'll have a 18kg pack on. Then if you thought the Spur track was a work out just wait for the climb up Long Point tk and the descent down the Link tk (we used No2) is pretty sketchy in places and you need to be as sure footed as a mountain goat and imo Walking Sticks are a must if you have heavy packs on. Again i found it to be a really enjoyable hike but i wouldnt suggest it for everyone given some of the steep loose rocky terrain, in a few places you'll almost be climbing.

Travis.

[GregR]

I guess we should ask you to define " my partners relatively new to carrying a pack " to better advise you. The walk Travis suggests is an absolute ripper, but that walk up to the ridge after the dam weir is somewhat strenuous eve n in a day pack, let alone a full kit. Then again your partner might also be a champion rogainer or ironman.

Cheers
Greg

[Watertank]

Greg she isn't an ironman or rogainer - she is used to walking long distances but heights are not her favourite situation - we don't want to go overboard with a really hard walk. We will have a tent but each pack will be around 9-10kgs max.

[overlandnoob]

Hi WT - Ive just done a little overnight hike at Lerderderg Gorge this weekend passed.

I purchased the Glen Tempest's Western Gorges book and the Lerderderg Meridian map on the way out there too lol.

We did the Circuit hike from Mackenzies flat up the Spur to the Weir, up Long Point and around and down the Link tk back to the Dam and Mackenzies Flat. We stayed overnight downstream from the Weir but honestly in the future id just camp near the Weir or just upstream of it. The 'nice' campsite downstream of the weir is getting pretty lumpy, a little overgrown and absolutely torn up by many Wombats. Access to the river is a bit painful negotiating flood debris etc. We also saw many Goats out there too.

The water height is fine. No need to remove shoes and you wont get wet feet anywhere out there on any of the crossings in this loop unless you fall in.

It was a very enjoyable overnight walk, the track is very clear but be warned the climb up the Spur track is pretty grueling if like us you'll have a 18kg pack on. Then if you thought the Spur track was a work out just wait for the climb up Long Point tk and the descent down the Link tk (we used No2) is pretty sketchy in places and you need to be as sure footed as a mountain goat and imo Walking Sticks are a must if you have heavy packs on. Again i found it to be a really enjoyable hike but i wouldnt suggest it for everyone given some of the steep loose rocky terrain, in a few places you'll almost be climbing.

Travis.

Sounds like we did a similar circuit to you a few months ago - you're right about the wombats at that campsite (assuming it's the one with the stone armchairs?).

We walked out along the river on the second day - was very little water back in April but I imagine there's a bit more about now. Really great, surprisingly wild place not far from Melbourne - but do look out for the goats.

[GregR]

Greg she isn't an ironman or rogainer - she is used to walking long distances but heights are not her favourite situation - we don't want to go overboard with a really hard walk. We will have a tent but each pack will be around 9-10kgs max.

In that case I still stick my original plan of Mine Camp in and out. Or walk out up the spur to the road and back to O'briens that way.