Whipstick Loop Walk

The Whipstick Loop Walk is a 6.1 km circuit through Wombat State Forest near Blackwood in Victoria's central highlands, starting and finishing at Jack Cann Reserve on Simmons Reef Road. It is a proper dog walk: shaded eucalypt forest, tree fern gullies and old gold-mining relics, with the dog welcome on lead the whole way round.

The walk

The loop is graded moderate, taking most walkers 1.5 to 2 hours, with short steep hills, narrow sections and occasional uneven or fallen ground. The old miners' water races keep much of the track gentler than the surrounding country, and the mix of fern gullies and open forest gives a dog plenty to work through without long exposed stretches.

Leash status

Dogs are welcome on lead, confirmed with Forest Fire Management Victoria as the land manager for this part of Wombat State Forest. There is no off-lead provision here, so the lead stays on from car park to car park, both for native wildlife and for the reason below.

Hazards

The trail crosses historic gold-mining country and old mine shafts sit near the path, some steep and unfenced with only a few having fenced viewing platforms. A short lead in those sections is not optional advice; it is the reason the on-lead rule matters on this particular walk. After rain the gullies turn muddy and slippery, which the reviews confirm, so footwear and a towel for the dog both earn their place. It is also a working state forest, so expect the occasional management vehicle.

Max: give the shafts a wide berth even where there is a viewing fence. The interesting sniffs are not worth a drop into old workings.

Water and when to go

There is no reliable on-trail water and no bins, so carry drinking water for your dog and pack out every waste bag. The forest is at its best in autumn and spring; in summer check fire danger ratings before you go, and after heavy rain expect the low sections to hold water and mud.

Getting there and parking

The trailhead is Jack Cann Reserve at 189 Simmons Reef Road, Blackwood, with ample parking at the reserve. Blackwood is about 45 minutes from Bacchus Marsh or an hour and a half from Melbourne via the Western Highway and Greendale Trentham Road.

More walks nearby

The Lerderderg Heritage River Walk starts from the same side of town and follows the old water races along the river, and the Domino Trail out of Trentham is the easy recovery walk. Stay at the Blackwood Mineral Springs Caravan Park with the dog, or let them run at the Trentham Off-Leash Dog Park before lunch at the Cosmopolitan Hotel.

More options are on the Victoria dog friendly trails guide and the Blackwood destination page.