Lerderderg Gorge
Encyclopedia
The Lerderderg Gorge is in Victoria, Australia
. The Lerderderg River
which emerges from the Great Dividing Range
has cut a deep gorge as it winds toward the southern plains.
Gorge of Lerderderg River extending from Nolan Gully south to the Lerderderg ford.
and the surrounding Wombat State Forest
are north of Bacchus Marsh, around one hour's drive (90km) (56 miles) from Melbourne
on the Western Highway. Its myriad tracks, gullies creeks and ridges form a wild, rugged environment enjoyed by bushwalkers, horse riders and mountain bikers.
The striking feature of this area is the 300-metre (975 feet) deep gorge that stretches south to the plains of Bacchus Marsh.
This forest is still actively logged. Many roads in the Lerderderg State Park are closed between June and the beginning of November as the park is within a water catchment area.
and Mt Blackwood, from the northwest via Greendale-Trentham Road and O'Brien's Road for O'Brien's Crossing. Whilst in previous years this often flooded, with the drought it is now quite safe to use.
of the area is dominated by long narrow ridges and steep secondary spurs, with a high degree of rock outcrop on ridge crests, slopes and stream channels. Lower Ordovician sandstones and mudstones intruded by numerous small quartz
veins form the dominant geology. The river descends steeply through boulders along a convoluted course with several steep-sided gooseneck meanders.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The Lerderderg River
Lerderderg River
The Lerderderg River is a river in Victoria, Australia. The river begins in the Lerderderg State Forest and ends when it merges into the Werribee River just out of the town of Bacchus Marsh....
which emerges from the Great Dividing Range
Great Dividing Range
The Great Dividing Range, or the Eastern Highlands, is Australia's most substantial mountain range and the third longest in the world. The range stretches more than 3,500 km from Dauan Island off the northeastern tip of Queensland, running the entire length of the eastern coastline through...
has cut a deep gorge as it winds toward the southern plains.
Location
37°37'35"S x 144°25'44"E to 37°23'42"S x 144°19'06"EGorge of Lerderderg River extending from Nolan Gully south to the Lerderderg ford.
Description
Lerderderg State ParkLerderderg State Park
Lerderderg State Park is a 14,250 hectare park located between Bacchus Marsh and Blackwood, an hour's drive from Melbourne, Australia...
and the surrounding Wombat State Forest
Wombat State Forest
The Wombat State Forest is located west of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, between Woodend and Daylesford, at the Great Dividing Range. The forest is approximately in size and sits upon Ordovician or Tertiary sediments...
are north of Bacchus Marsh, around one hour's drive (90km) (56 miles) from Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
on the Western Highway. Its myriad tracks, gullies creeks and ridges form a wild, rugged environment enjoyed by bushwalkers, horse riders and mountain bikers.
The striking feature of this area is the 300-metre (975 feet) deep gorge that stretches south to the plains of Bacchus Marsh.
This forest is still actively logged. Many roads in the Lerderderg State Park are closed between June and the beginning of November as the park is within a water catchment area.
Bushwalking
The park is popular for bushwalking, as it is possible to walk all day and not see anybody. The most popular areas to start a walk are from Mackenzies Flat Picnic Area and O'Briens Crossing. The best walk from Mackenzies Flat is one which goes up one side of the gorge and back along the other. It goes right up to the Lerderderg Weir. From O'Briens Crossing you can either walk up or down the river. Walking up takes you to The Tunnel. If planning a walk, make sure it hasn't rained much recently, and if walking along the river walk downhill, as the bushes on the riverbed always slope downwards.Access
From the East via Bacchus Marsh-Gisborne Road and Lerderderg Gorge Road for Mackenzie's Flat picnic area, from the south-west via MyrniongMyrniong, Victoria
Myrniong is a town in Victoria, Australia. The town is located near the Western Freeway, north west of the state capital, Melbourne and west of Bacchus Marsh. Situated close by the Lerderderg River, at the 2006 census, Myrniong had a population of 210...
and Mt Blackwood, from the northwest via Greendale-Trentham Road and O'Brien's Road for O'Brien's Crossing. Whilst in previous years this often flooded, with the drought it is now quite safe to use.
Geological description
The Lerderderg Gorge is cut by the Lerderderg River into the blocks of the Rowsley, Greendale and Coimadai Faults. Side slopes are commonly of 350 to 400 metres (1,138 to 1,300 feet) with some vertical rocky cliffs up to 60 m (195 feet) high. The topographyTopography
Topography is the study of Earth's surface shape and features or those ofplanets, moons, and asteroids...
of the area is dominated by long narrow ridges and steep secondary spurs, with a high degree of rock outcrop on ridge crests, slopes and stream channels. Lower Ordovician sandstones and mudstones intruded by numerous small quartz
Quartz
Quartz is the second-most-abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust, after feldspar. It is made up of a continuous framework of SiO4 silicon–oxygen tetrahedra, with each oxygen being shared between two tetrahedra, giving an overall formula SiO2. There are many different varieties of quartz,...
veins form the dominant geology. The river descends steeply through boulders along a convoluted course with several steep-sided gooseneck meanders.
Significance
The Lerderderg Gorge is one of the major river valleys of VictoriaVictoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....