Attractions

BLACKWOOD in Victoria’s goldfield/spa area is one of the prettiest old mining towns you’re likely to find! The 150 permanent residents know what a special place this is, while its natural bush beauty and old-world charm has been captured on film many times in movies and TV shows such as “The Man From Snowy River” series and more recently “Charlotte’s Web”.

The hills of the Wombat Forest shelter Blackwood from the hustle of more commercialised tourist routes, yet it is centrally located with Daylesford, Woodend and Kyneton just half-an-hour’s drive, and Ballarat 45 minutes away. And fifteen minutes up the road in Trentham you’ll find a range of eateries.

Blackwood has plenty to offer visitors to help them relax, with three yummy cafes, historical hotel, 5-acre Garden of St Erth, and the riverside Mineral Springs barbecue area. Favourite outdoor activities include prospecting for gold and gems (significant nuggets are still being found), bird watching, bush-walking and mountain-bike riding.

Narrow water races surround the town from the mining days, and provide spectacular hillside walking tracks, some of which form part of the 235 km Great Dividing Trail. For a shorter scenic walk try Moonlight Gully via the Mineral Springs, which you can begin and end at Golden Point.

GOLDEN POINT is the site of the first nugget found in Blackwood, and is one kilometre from the town centre. It is semi-rural with forested mountain views. The river runs right past, and five minutes’ walk will bring you to an idyllic rock-walled swimming/fishing hole.