Over the range - Riddells Creek Station to Woodend Station

The Bendigo train pulled into Riddells Creek station on time at 0803. Made my way to main street for a quick bakery stop. Cool Sunny morning, the walking was good. Wended my way through the town blocks and slowly gained elevation on to the ranges. The tar turns to gravel and the blocks become bigger. You will be greeted with a “No Road” sign indicating that Sandy creek road is no longer trafficable. This is a stooge. Locals just don’t want old mate driving around or using it as a shortcut. Continue on the gazetted road. The elevation gain is unrelenting. By 1005 I was at the junction of Sandy Creek Road and Gap road where a mob of roadside mail boxes guarded the road. Mountains road is similarly sign posted but for good reason. The road turns to track that is only good for walkers. Its pleasant walking up here and I didn’t see a soul. A left turn into the unsigned Hesket Boundary track and you are heading up to vehicular tourist country. Lions Head road. I stopped here for my first break at 1116. A decent firebreak and sunny. At 980m ASL the stop was welcome. If you want toilets and tables go left for about 800m down to Days picnic ground.

We now join the published Macedon Ranges Walking Track. Cross the main road and then push onto McGregor’s picnic ground. This track gets busy with camels hump walkers. My path to the woodend road was via Braemar College. When the MRWT forked left I took the right and began descending. At what appears to be a gully I took the right hand track that is more of a foot pad. At the school water tanks enter the college property and cut through to the Woodend road. This route goes through the Graham Brock reservoir. Pretty sure you shouldn’t be walking through it these days. I skirted the perimeter on the left hand side (west) but I suggest you go right back towards the college.

Walk on into to town and shout yourself a Vanilla Slice from Bourkies Bakehouse at the end of town. You have done about 25 km. Get the train back to town.