Maryborough to Ballarat Heritage Trail
Immerse yourself in the heritage and beauty of Victoria’s central goldfields. The Ballarat to Maryborough Heritage Trail is a 91km trail, broken into four distinct sections, each with its own unique character and identity. No matter which trail section you choose, you will be rewarded with a mix of forest and farming tracks with numerous stopping points at charming historic townships and other heritage points of interest. You will want to take your time to enjoy all the trail has to offer and may wish to do this over multiple days, with overnight stops in the townships along the way.
1. Ballarat – Creswick, 24kms
This first section of the trail follows the Yarrowee River trail before settling into the quiet isolation of eucalypt forests. Observe how the tall, straight trees change to gnarled and twisted where the track dips in and out of gullies. This first section ends in the beautiful and historic forestry town of Creswick.
2. Creswick – Clunes, 24kms
Much of this section of trail is filled with reminders of the past. Historic pastoral holdings, grand homesteads and vineyards line the quiet lanes as you meander the undulating terrain. It finishes in the gold heritage township of Clunes – made famous by movies such as Ned Kelly.
3. Clunes – Talbot, 25kms
This section of trail starts with sweeping vistas across to the volcanic mound of Mt. Beckworth. Aged eucalypts line the quiet lanes before you disappear into scrubby bushland, darting the occasional wallaby as you peddle into the tiny hamlet of Talbot.
4. Talbot – Maryborough, 18kms
This last section of the trail begins with a gentle ride through open grazing land, where you’ll spot dry stone walling and an old bluestone ford scarred with deep ruts from the passing of countless wagon wheels. Then it’s into Box-ironbark forest all the way to the magnificent heritage of Maryborough.
