SUNDAY 1 JUNE 2025
Blackwood – a hidden gem amongst a picturesque natural backdrop
Welcome to the NEW Race 1 Location for the 2025 Trail Running Series – BLACKWOOD!
Race 1 for 2025 is located in Blackwood, within the midsts of the Lerderderg State Park. Starting and Finishing at the Blackwood Recreation Reserve with the Lerderderg River trickling by, the small rural town is just down the road from Trentham and 25mins south-east of Daylseford. Each course has been meticulously crafted for your enjoyment of the fresh air and freedom our Series offers, with a delightful mix of forest and bushland trails – it truly is a hidden gem of Melbourne’s north-west!!
(Plus, there’s heaps to do in the area after your run – think Mineral Springs and delicious country food. More below!)
WHERE: Blackwood Sports and Recreation Reserve – 31 Recreation Reserve Road, Blackwood VIC.
START TIMES: CLICK HERE for full race day schedule incl start times.
DISTANCES: to be confirmed shortly …
- Long Course: tbc
- Medium Course: tbc
- Short Course: tbc
These little known trails will open your eyes to the beautiful rural trails amongst the Lerderderg State Park and broaden your love for trail running by exploring somewhere new!
What’s in the area: the fun to-do post-race activities
There’s some exciting attractions, both natural and food-related in the area; perfect for your post-race enjoyment.
Blackwood Mineral Spings Reserve
Blackwood Mineral Springs — Mineral Springs of Victoria
Blackwood Mineral Springs are in a picturesque setting alongside the Lerderderg River. This is a delightful spot for picnics, play, and exploration. Visitors can indulge in sampling mineral water, stroll across the footbridge for creek views, or venture onto longer walking trails within the Lerderderg National Park, all while keeping an eye out for the resident kookaburras.
The Blackwood Mineral Springs Reserve is located off Golden Point Road, one kilometre east of the town centre. There is a small entrance fee (payable at the park ranger’s office at the entrance) The Soda Spring is located on the car park side of the river, while another mineral spring is situated directly on the other side of the river, accessed via a footbridge. From this other spring begins a couple of scenic walking tracks which end up at Shaws Lake via Sweets Lookout.
The Garden of St Erth
The Digges Club Gardens – The Garden of St Erth – The Diggers Club
Famous for its spectacular displays of daffodils, lupins, rare shrubs and perennials, the gardens feature an 1860s miners cottage, a nursery and café. Browse a wide range of incredible edibles, hardy perennials and shrubs to stock up on the full range of seeds for the vegetable and flower garden.
- Café – Coffee, seasonal menu using garden and local ingredients
- Glamping accom – Each of our 5-metre wide bell tents is carpeted, private and decked out with all the mod-cons including 100% flax linen bedding, in tent heaters and air-conditioning and access to well equipped private bathrooms.
Lerderderg Start Park
The Lerderderg State Park lies to the south of Blackwood and covers 14,250 ha. It is noted for the 300 m gorge which cuts through the park as it heads southwards towards Bacchus Marsh. The gorge helps create a sense of diversity of vegetation (there are over 320 tree species in the park) with fern gullies, dry open forests (stringybark and ironbark forests exist) and wildflower displays in the spring. The main appeal of the park lies in its proximity to Melbourne. It offers camping, (O’Brien’s Crossing is the only designated camp site in the park), bushwalking, picnicking, fishing, swimming and driving.
Miners Hut
On Whalebone Road there is one of the original cottages which dates from some time between 1855 and 1864. It is one of four huts in the town. All are indicative of the simple building techniques of the time. In this case the use of huge logs and simple mortar is an unusual vernacular technique.
Also at the end of Simmons Reef Road is the entrance to the Jack Cann Reserve. There are walking tracks which lead to Fosters Lookout and the remnants of tunnels and mines from the gold mining days along Simmons Reef.
Resturants Bars and Cafes
Blackwood Hotel – 1 Golden Point Rd, Blackwood VIC Blackwood Hotel – Old fashioned pub bistro, Open fire, forest viewing deck
Blackwood General – 21 Martin St, Blackwood VICBlackwood General– coffee, sandwiches, baked treats, drinks, chocolate treats, ice cream, gifts
St Erth Café 189 Simmons Reef Rd, Blackwood -ph (03) 5368 6520 St Erth cafe – The Diggers Club– Café with seasonal menu using garden and local ingredients
Accomodation
Blackwood Mineral Springs Caravan Park: 41 Golden Point Rd, Blackwood 3458
Coventry Cottage: 48 Golden Point Road, Blackwood Vic 3458
Garden Beds Glamping Blackwood: 189 Simmons Road, Blackwood Vic 3458 Ph: 0467 837 112