Scenic views of Daylesford Lake
Award winning Convent Gallery
Spectacular Trentham Falls
Extract your own mineral water
Riverside pinic area, near Trentham
| 
Blackwood is an old goldmining township on the Lerderderg River, situated amid steep hills and gullies in the heart of the Wombat State Forest. Gold was first discovered in 1855 by Edward Hill and as a result the town became the centre of a gold mining area known as Mt Blackwood. Things To Do: Bush walking, Fishing, Gem fossicking, Gold prospecting, Horse riding, Scenic drives, Swimming (river), Tennis. Places Of Interest
Historic Cottage
One of the original cottages, located on the Blackwood-Trentham road, dates from sometime between 1855 and 1864. With its brick and stone chimney, hip roof and lean-to, it offers a fascinating insight into the building techniques of the time.
Blackwood's Cemetery
Of particular interest is Blackwood's cemetery with its graves which date back to goldrush times. The graves of the Chinese miners (they started arriving in the district in 1857) are, tellingly, located at the rear of the burial ground. A less obscure grave belongs to a Frenchwoman, Madame Bonford, who was contracted to cut the extensive water races which brought water to the gold prospectors. Another interesting gravestone is that of Bridget Cruise who built the Blackwood Hotel in 1868, after the death of her husband. The Blackwood Hotel (recently renovated) still stands in the centre of town, while the graves of Cruise and her family can be found to the left of the cemetery¹s entrance. Jack Cann Reserve
Near the St Erth Garden is the Jack Cann Reserve. Walking tracks lead off to Foster's Lookout, to the tunnel, sluices and open-cut mine of Simmons Reef, and up the Lerderderg River to Crown Dam, where the path leads across the dam and back down the opposite bank of the waterway. Also at Simmons Reef, on Deadman's Hill, is the grave of Isaac Povey who died from fever in 1855 - the year in which his friend, companion, and gravedigger, Edward Hill, initiated the local goldrush. Another interesting site near the river is the mineral springs reserve which has picnic and barbecue facilities as well as a kiosk which provides maps of the area. Across the small bridge there is a pathway which meanders along the shore of Shaw's Lake (designed as a reservoir to ensure the water supply to the goldminers) and on to Sweets Lookout. Below this panoramic view there is a trail which leads past Golden Point, where the miners' water races, carved into the mountains' flanks, are still visible. From there it winds back to the township of Blackwood, where you can visit one of the region's oldest buildings, the All Saints Church of England, which was constructed in 1863. Nearby Towns Daylesford
Known as the spa centre of Australia, with over 50% of Australia's known and active mineral water outlets. Hepburn Regional Park nestles around the famous mineral springs township.
Hepburn Regional Park
Botanic gardens - a cool summer retreat, panoramic views over Daylesford Local art & craft displayed for sale at the award-winning Convent Gallery
Vintage Railways trips from Daylesford Station
Wombat State Forest
Open Air Markets - Daylesford Station
Trail rides
Hepburn Spa Resort
Mineral water pumps - picnics, extract your own mineral waters
Trentham
Trentham, located on the Great Dividing Range, was first surveyed in 1864 and proclaimed a town in 1868. Although small, Trentham's history reflects a diverse background: gold and timber, farming and even manufacturing. First came the squatters in 1837 followed the timber cutters in the 1850's.
Trentham Falls - the state's highest single drop waterfall
Lerderderg State Park - this park is important for wildlife, Koalas live in the gums Mechanics Institute (1888) Railway station (1880) The Cosmopolitan Hotel (1851) National Bank (1883) The Trentham Hotel (1826) Blackwood, Lyonville and Hepburn springs Blue Mount Lookout McLaughlins Lookout The Wombat Forest Firth Park
| 
