4WD Treks Close to Melbourne: Validation of trek 17 Beyond Blackwood
Date and time: 8.30am to 4:00pm Sunday 18th of Feb. 2024
Description: Please contact your trip leader if you are unsure of any of the following requirements for this trip.
This trek follows a network of challenging 4WD tracks through the Wombat State Forest. It heads east out of Blackwood to the Diggers Gardening Club’s Garden of St Erth, and once past the garden the road becomes a narrow 4WD track. The track starts to climb a rocky hill, reaching a height of just over 700 metres.
The trek then continues along German Track and Paradise Track, at the start of which is a clearing that can be used for camping. Paradise Track crosses old sawmill works, although very little is left.
The next major track is Mountview. Be aware that it is quite narrow, rutted and can be muddy as it passes close to the highest point in the forest, some 878 metres.
That’s now the most difficult tracks completed; the remainder are relatively flat forest tracks, although there may well be soft spots. The trek then comes to Burnt Stable Spring. The spring is just a trickle, but it is an actual spring! The tracks leading in and out of Burnt Stable Spring are not signposted so take care with the directions.
Further north the trek comes to Wombat Creek Dam. The dam is a decent spot for a short stop or to fish. As you leave the area along Cockatoo Track beware of walkers as the trek now follows the Three Lost Children Walk.
To the north-west of the dam and just after the crossroads with Specimen Hill Road there is the option to visit Specimen Hill Dam, another lovely spot to stop for a tea break.
After visiting the dam, the trek continues north and passes an old mine area, although there are only earth mounds left now. The trek finishes in Daylesford which offers its own delights such as bookshops, cafés and rental boats on Lake Daylesford.
Weather: This is a dry condition track rated Difficult, please check the weather forecast on Saturday to determine conditions. Should there be rain, we may be rescheduling to another day. We will reach out to you prior to the day.
Equipment: Below are the recommended vehicle requirements. If you are not sure if you vehicle is suitable for a trip, please have a chat with the trip leader.
Well-maintained low range 4wd’s with high clearance (minimum 2-inch lift above standard) and have rated recovery points front and rear. Tyres must be of light truck construction and be either Mud Terrain or All Terrain with deep tread and minimum 60 profile (No road tyres). Vehicles must be UHF radio equipped (or one borrowed from the club). Standard recovery gear including dampener, rated snatch strap and shackles, shovel must be carried. Winch is recommended. Drivers must have completed the RRCV club training or equivalent.
Additional Equipment required: Morning tea and lunches will be in the bush – BYO simple, “on the move” lunches and morning teas.
No camper trailers, pets or firearms
Maps and Reference Material: 4WD Treks close to Melbourne. Pg159.
Trip Standard: Med – Hard. Most tracks are rated hard. Expect steep climbs and descents, challenging sections, water crossings, ruts (may be deep in some sections) and bog holes after rain.
Fuel: a full tank ex Bacchus Marsh or Daylesford.
Distance: Approx. distance from Daylesford is 43.8 Km of mainly low range driving.
Duration: One day
Convoy limit: 6 vehicles
Meeting arrangements: We plan to meet in the main street of Blackwood outside the Post Office and Café (25 Martin St, Blackwood). Vehicle scrutiny and briefing at 8.30am, departure time is 9.00am sharp. If you plan to get coffee beforehand then you will need to arrive a little earlier. We will aim to finish about 4.00pm in Daylesford.
Trip Leaders: Luciano Cinel, Phone – 0418512319, Email – luce.cinel@gmail.com
Trek Manager: Rick Thomas
Club Guest Registration policy: It is club policy in regard to insurance cover that if a member brings any non-members on the trip they must be registered and have paid the required fee as Temporary Members BEFORE the event.
i.e. non- members can no longer register on the day with the trip leader.
Temporary Membership information and ways to register can be found at:
Temporary (Guest) Membership
Also if a non-member wishes to bring their own vehicle, the member inviting the non-member must contact the trip leader for approval to bring the vehicle. Such approval will take into account skills of the driver, suitability of the vehicle and whether or not a place within the convoy limit is available for a non-member's vehicle.
