SIMMONS REEF WALK/RIDE
Balt Camp – Blackwood (MEDIUM/HARD)
This section of the track contains some beautiful examples of lush forests, first in a gully then later as the walk follows the Lerderderg River. Deep ruts carved by 4WDs and trail motor bikes make it slow going and detract from the experience.
At the halfway mark, you emerge from the forest and take the road uphill to a lookout for a view across to 863m high Mt Wilson then descend to Nolan Creek Picnic and Camping Ground.
The final stretch follows the Lerderderg River for 7km along former water races, wending in and out between river and road. Bikers could stick to the road. The wet forest along the valley consists of tall tree ferns and an overstorey of blackwoods.
Established in 1974, the Garden of St Erth at Simmons Reef has been described as one of Australia’s “most prized and visited gardens.” An alternative route for bike riders from St Erth east into town avoids steep drop offs: take Quicks Rd NE from the Jack Cann Reserve to Simmons Reef Rd, head east and soon after turn due south down Skinners Rd and rejoin the Lerderderg Track on the edge of town. Check out the new GDTA Lerderderg Track map for details of this bike diversion.
SUPPLIES & FACILITIES
Toilet facilities and a picnic shelter are available at Nolan Creek and the Jack Cann Reserve. Café and toilet at Garden of St Erth. Nolan Creek, the Garden of St Erth and Jack Cann Reserve are all vehicle accessible.
For more details, purchase the GDTA’s new Lerderderg Track Map
New Guidebook Now Available
Click here to purchase.
What you can expect to see
