Bacchus Marsh - Places to See

Express Office
Also in Gisborne St is the original section of the Express office which was built of hand-made bricks in 1865 for the printery of George Lane. The Express newspaper was first published the following year and is still in operation. A graphics art company currently occupy the premises.

Millbank
Grant St heads south off Main St almost opposite Gisborne St. At 37-41 Grant St is 'Millbank', built of locally-quarried stone c.1855 for William Grant. The polychromatic brick wings were added later. The outbuildings - a primitive slab dairy and shed - are considered rare survivals of vernacular construction techniques.

Maddingley Park
Further south, at the corner of Grant St and Taverner St, is Maddingley Park, which is a good spot for a picnic.

Chicory Kiln
1 km along Taverner St, just past Fisken St (which heads off Main St), is a chicory kiln built in 1885. Chicory was grown on the river flats around the kiln from the 1880s by a man named Pearce. The roots of this white, parsnip-like plant, were roasted in the kiln before being ground and used as a coffee additive. Note the old advertisement on the wall for Dr Morse's Indian Root Pills.

Maddingley Open-Cut Coal Mine
The Maddingley Mine was established in 1943. Head south along Grant St. Take the left immediately after crossing the railway line then the second right into East Maddingley Rd which leads to a viewing area over the 280-ha mine.

Speedway
The town's speedway is located in a volcanic crater in Parwan South Road. The Australian Speed Car Championships are held here in March.

Djerriwarrah Bridge
The Djerriwarrah Bridge, over the Lerderderg River, is located about 5 km east of town. Head east out of town along the Avenue of Honour then continue east when you reach the Western Freeway. As you go up the hill (i.e., Anthony's Cutting) there is a turnoff on the left which leads to the bridge which was built in 1858-59 of local sandstone. There are picnic areas with barbecue facilities on either side.

St Anne's Vineyard
St Anne's Vineyard was established in 1972. Rhine riesling, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and shiraz are all produced. along with dessert and fortified wines. The bluestone cellar is built from the remnants of Ballarat's original gaol (1840s). It is open daily until 5.00 p.m.

To get there head out of Bacchus Marsh on the Western Freeway towards Ballarat. After 15 km there is a brown-and-white tourist sign indicating the route to the vineyard (turn off at the Pykes Creek exit), tel: (03) 5368 7209.

Pykes Creek Reservoir
If you take the Pykes Creek exit off the freeway then turn right across the overpass, you will soon come to a side road on the left which leads to Pykes Creek Reservoir which was completed in 1911. It is named after an early European settler and is an attractive picnic area which is also used for boating, swimming and fishing.

Werribee Gorge State Park
Werribee Gorge State Park (443 ha), 8 km west of Bacchus Marsh, is centred on a quite remarkable steep-sided gorge which reveals a great deal about the area's geological history (a sea bed covered by glacial debris then lava), making it a popular destination for school excursions.

Take Pentland Hills Rd off the freeway and turn into Myers Rd for the northern section which contains the Quarry Picnic Area and Meikles Picnic Area. From the former you can follow the four-hour Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk.

The Ingliston Gorge Walk (2.5 hours) starts off the back road to Ballan, as does the management track that leads to Falcons Lookout which is the only location in the park for abseilers. For more information ring (03) 5367 2922 or 131 963.

Long Forest Flora Reserve
This is the only naturally occurring patch of mallee south of the Great Dividing Range. At one time mallee scrub was common in the area but as the climate cooled most of it was supplanted by eucalypt forest. However, this reserve rests on a bed of shale and sandstone which is not conducive to eucalypts.

This area was first mapped in the 1830s by a surveyor who described it as 'barren forest hills'. There was an unsuccessful attempt to mine gold here and, late in the 19th century, timber was cut for milk factories at Bacchus Marsh. With subdivision proceeding 245 ha was set aside in 1981 in recognition of the site's ecological rarity.

The dominant species in the reserve is bull mallee although blue box can be found along Coimadai Creek and grey box and yellow gum on drier sites. The reserve also has turkey bush, fragrant salt-bush and some rare orchids. There are about 200 species of birds, as well as kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, echinas, gliders and possums. Birdwatching, nature studies and bushwalking can all be enjoyed.

To get there head east of Melton along the Western Freeway for 7 km and take the left turn into Long Forest Rd at the turnoff signposted for Merrimu Reservoir. A short distance along, to the right, is the start of the Djerriwarrah Track. Slightly further north, to the left, is a gate which marks the start of the Old House Track. Continuing north, to the left, is the start of the Mallee Track. A little further north again, to the right, is Sundew Ave. Just past this, to the left, is a carpark and information shelter which marks the start of the Happy Valley Track. 2 km further north is a turnoff on the left into Canopus Circuit loop road. Along here, to the left, is a gate and an information shelter at the start of the Long Point Track. This is also the access point for the Steep Track and the Comidai Track. Some of the trails on the western side of the road intersect. Most are signposted along Long Forest Rd.

For further information contact the Department of Natural Resources and Environment at Bacchus Marsh on (03) 5367 2922.

Merrimu Reservoir
If you continue north along Long Forest Rd you will come to a signposted turnoff on the left which leads to Merrimu Reservoir - the water supply for both Bacchus Marsh and Melton. There is a recreational area with picnic, barbecue, toilet and playground facilities.

Lerderderg State Park
The main formation associated with this 14 000-ha park is the rugged 300-metre gorge carved by the Lerderderg River. There is a diversity of flora and some early goldmining relics.

Walking trails of varying length follow the river and old water races cut by goldminers. There are good sandy riverside beaches and bushcamping is permitted away from main roads. You can fish in the river or explore some 4WD tracks in the dry season (October to May). Roads within the park are often crude and may be unmanageable in wet weather.

To access the southern section follow Lerderderg River Rd out of Bacchus Marsh. It leads to the Mackenzies Flat Picnic Area where you can swim or take a walk to Grahams Dam. There are coin-operated barbecues.

For the northern section head west along the freeway for 15 km and take the Pykes Creek exit. 13 km north of the freeway turn right into scenic O'Briens Rd which leads to O'Briens Crossing Picnic Area where there are toilets and fireplaces. For further information ring (03) 5367 2922 or 131 963.

Brisbane Ranges National Park
The Boar Gully bush camp is a pleasant woodland area which is a good base for bushwalking. There are several campsites, toilets, a picnic area and a water supply. To get there head south-west out of Bacchus Marsh on the Balliang Rd. After 9 km turn right, heading west along the Bacchus Marsh-Mt Wallace Rd. 13 km along this road (the last 3 km being unsealed) there is a signposted turnoff on the left which leads to the camping area. If you wish to camp in the park it is necessary to contact the Anakie office first, tel: (03) 5284 1230. For further information on the park see the entry on Anakie or contact Parks Victoria on 131 963.