Lerderderg Gorge River return via Cowan Track

Getting there

Lerderderg Gorge is situated roughly 60km west of Melbourne, the park itself is split down the middle by the name-sake gorge which can be walked along for pretty much its entirety. I recommend driving in from the West, from Blackwood as the entrance to Obriens crossing from the East is unpaved road for a much longer distance than the west.

Maps

The Meridian maps range has a Larderderg gorge map that is perfectly designed for walkers in this area.

http://www.exploroz.com/Shop/Maps/Meridian/Lerderderg___Werribee_Gorges_Map_Guide.aspx

I have also provided a google KML file which can be imported into Google earth which will provide you with a very helpful info.

I recommend reading my hike notes first. http://hike-australia.com/featured/hike-report-lerderderg-day-3/attachment/hikeaus-lerderderg-hike-report/

Route/Trail notes

This can be either a lazy overnighter or a relatively hard working 1 day walk, Starting at Obriens crossing, you simply walk along the river for roughly 6km, at this point there is a turn off into further into the park, following this walk you can find Cowan track which runs back to the main road, a short 1km jaunt along the road returns you to your start location at O'Briens crossing.

Read my detailed track notes at:

http://hike-australia.com/featured/lerderderg-day-1n2/

Permits/Costs

Lerderderg Gorge is a DSE Victoria park, this means that there are no camping fees or permits required for walking the park.

Other References

http://hike-australia.com/featured/lerderderg-day-1n2/

http://hike-australia.com/featured/hike-report-lerderderg-day-3/

GPS Tracks

No GPS available for this walk yet.

Comments

We didn't do the whole thing but the river is beautiful, would like to get back there one day.
Zara13 on 6 Jul, 2013

I did this walk with a group of 4 and did it in 5 hours but we kept a good steady pace the whole way and stopped for photo's and lunch. The east track is a bit of an obstacle course and would not advise begginers to walk it unless they are with someone with a bit more experience. Even then it can get a bit tricky. My gps tracker told me it was 12.5 klms. Its a fairly level walk altitude wise until you get to cowans track then over the next 3 klms you will gain a bit over 300 metres (a quick 100 metre gain at the start) and my heart rate hit 184 bpm at one point but i kinda charged at it :) Smooth walking from there. We took the shortcut track as shown on our meridian map and it was a steep descent with some loose ground but not too bad. Overall it was a fun adventure and had a great day.
neddy on 28 Dec, 2012