Early in 2011 DSE closed the Lerderderg Track between Jubilee Lake and St Leonards Hill following storm damage. The track is still closed. GDTA has repeatedly requested that the track be reopened. At a meeting with DSE Midlands District in November 2011 the GDTA asked DSE to take urgent action to reopen the track.

DSE have advised that only DSE posts are allowed on their land. This means that on the Lerderderg Track between Jubilee Lake and Blackwood, DSE will replace all green GDT posts with grey DSE posts.

2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity
Click here for more information.

 

Leanganook Track

Castlemaine and Bendigo
58km walk between Castlemaine and Bendigo.

The The Great Dividing Trail concept, as originally envisaged in 1992, involved three Stages, all of which are now complete. The Great Dividing Trail Association received State and local government assistance to complete the  fourth stage: the Leanganook Track between Castlemaine and Bendigo. With this fourth section complete, the Great Dividing Trail became the longest community owned and managed regional walking track in Australia. In May 2011 this northern track became part of the Goldfields Track, and is now open to both walkers and mtb riders.

The name Leanganook Track is used with permission of the DjaDjaWrung Aboriginal traditional owners. Completion of the Leanganook Track and its 2011 inclusion in the Goldfields Track has created a significant benefit for the Shire of Mount Alexander and the City of Greater Bendigo: by adding to the regional tourist and recreational infrastructure.

The story behind the track

The Mount Alexander Employment and Training Services (MAETS) was given a substantial grant to employ people to undertake some of the work on the trail. The Regional Environmental Employment Program (REEP) supported by the Department of Infrastructure, the Mount Alexander Shire and the City of Greater Bendigo agreed to provide some substantial work assistance on the track.

The GDTA, Mount Alexander Shire, City of Greater Bendigo, Department of Infrastructure / Parks Victoria, MAETS and REEP and Coliban Water are worked together in 2003 to complete the Leanganook Track.

MAETS created a high standard multi-use track from Castlemaine to Chewton and a REEP scheme crew constructed the track from Chewton to Bendigo following the Coliban water race.

The Leanganook Track was officially opened by Victorian Premier Steve Bracks in Bendigo on November 21st 2003.

 

 

Top of page