Creswick? Higher mark it in your map! This charming little city outdoors of Ballarat has been given a makeover within the type of model new mountain biking trails. As soon as a busy city within the gold rush period, now the rush is to get into the encircling hills to check out new singletrack.
We Are Explorers acknowledges that this journey is positioned on the standard Nation of the Dja Dja Wurrung individuals who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for hundreds of years. We pay our respects to the Djaara because the Conventional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was by no means ceded.
Fast Overview
The final stage of building on the Djuwang Baring Creswick Trails was accomplished in late November, giving locals and early frothers the possibility to place rubber on filth and take a look at out 60km of latest trails.
The beginning of the trailhead at Hammon Park is positioned simply 20 minutes from Ballarat and 90 minutes on the western aspect of Melbourne.
Learn extra:Â Bear in mind to depart no hint
Creswick Trails Information
Distance: All 60km of path is at the moment open
Period: A weekend, though if we had the time we may simply spend every week right here
Elevation Acquire: The most important climb is on Marsupial (W1) with 84m of elevation acquire
Nearest City: Creswick, the closest massive city is Ballarat
Creswick Bike Trails
The Djuwang Baring Creswick Trails are the most recent addition to Victoria’s ever-growing mountain bike scene. While they’re new, the path community’s accessibility from Melbourne and its well-constructed and maintained trails make it a prime vacation spot to spend a weekend away mountain biking in nature.
DirtArt started building on the paths in late January 2023 they usually smashed out the construct. The paths have been formally opened to the general public on the thirtieth of November 2024.
The trailhead for Djuwang Baring is positioned at Hammon Park, simply 200 metres east of the Midland Freeway, making it a super location to separate up your day to refuel at one of many cafes or bakeries.
Learn extra: Djuwang Baring Creswick Trails – 5 Greatest MTB Trails Close to Ballarat
Seize a chunk on the town after lengthy days of biking
Removed from being only a trailhead, Hammon Park is a mountain bike rider’s heaven full with a pump monitor, bogs and bathe amenities, water refilling stations and a motorcycle wash and restore station. All the things right here is tailor-made so that you can journey and keep using so long as you may.
Out on the paths themselves, there’s an awesome number of terrain that’s appropriate for all ability ranges, starting from inexperienced (simple) to black (tough). While we have been there we examined out a variety of inexperienced and blue trails and picked our favourites. The paths are primarily a mixture of move or technical trails, however there are additionally fairly a couple of leap trails inside the community for extra superior riders.
Learn extra:Â Study to Mountain Bike With out Breaking Your self
In addition to this, 30% of the paths are at the moment appropriate for adaptive riders. To get extra in depth path info, go to the path community’s web site or obtain the Trailforks app for extra exact info.
When you’ve drained your self out, head down Fundamental Road and also you’ll discover there’s tons extra on supply in and round Creswick than simply mountain biking. We’ve pulled collectively one of the best locations to eat, keep, and discover whenever you’re out of the saddle.
Aspect Quests in Creswick
As a lot as we’d all love to remain out on the mountain bike trails so long as attainable, there’s a time for motion and a time for relaxation.
Thankfully, Creswick is blessed with a lot of scenic strolling trails to take issues at a slower tempo. Our favourites have been:
La Gerche Forest Stroll
An immersive 2.2km stroll wanting again on historical past. Named after John La Gerche, this path exhibits proof of the nursery and surrounds that have been established via the work of La Gerche, who experimented with amassing seed and rising a lot of totally different types of timber in Sawpit Gully. Quite a lot of these timber nonetheless stand tall right now.
For photographers and nature lovers on the market, pay a go to throughout autumn to expertise the altering of seasons because the deciduous timber flip hues of yellow and purple. This stroll can also be dog-friendly and connects to the 210km Goldfields Monitor.
A reasonably spot to stretch the legs
St Georges Lake
Select your individual journey! Come down for a cruisy stroll alongside the lake’s edge, stroll across the perimeter, or arrange a picnic and have a swim on a scorching summer time’s day
Professional tip: From the primary space, searching to the opposite aspect of the lake, there’s a rope swing into the water.
Learn extra: Staying Protected Round Swimming Holes and Waterfalls
The Historical past of Creswick
The Dja Dja Wurrung individuals have been the unique inhabitants of the land and Djaara, the Dja Dja Wurrung Clan’s Aboriginal Company, continues to be very lively in the neighborhood right now. Djuwang Baring, the title of the mountain biking path community, means ‘lengthy monitor’ within the Dja Dja Wurrung language.
Creswick boomed within the 1850s when the Victorian gold rush was at its peak. Because the gold rush pale, the city slowly developed to grow to be recognized for its grazing, agriculture and forestry, ultimately changing into generally known as ‘The Home of Forestry’.
John La Gerche was a distinguished man within the historical past of Creswick and had a pioneering function in establishing and organising a nursery in Sawpit Gully, and rising tree plantations for mine helps – he discovered that Monterey pines grew shortly for harvest. Right this moment, the La Gerche Forest Stroll commemorates his life’s work with historic buildings on web site and proof of his practices and work nonetheless seen.
Find out how to Get to Creswick
Driving is the simplest and most handy solution to get to Creswick.
From Melbourne, it’s round 90 minutes by taking the Western Freeway after which following the indicators into Creswick.
Alternatively, Creswick Railway Station is accessible from Melbourne’s CBD on the V/Line service by way of Ballarat – the paths are simply 1km west of the station.
If you happen to’re coming from Ballarat, take the Midland Freeway into the centre of city and observe the scent of the mountain bike riders heading to the trailhead at Hammon Park.
The place to Keep Close to the Creswick Trails
We stayed on the RACV Goldfields Resort and had an awesome keep! The lodging backs up onto a golf course and because the solar set, we noticed an abundance of roos skipping alongside.
Time to nod off!
A giant cause we selected to remain right here was as a result of undercover safe storage for our bikes and bike washing amenities, making it a no brainer for peace of thoughts and correct gear upkeep. Additionally they had a buffet breakfast which ensured we have been well-fuelled for some massive days out on the path.
Alternatively, Creswick Motel and the studios at Creswick Vacation Park are different choices positioned extra centrally on the town and nearer to the trailhead.
The place to Eat Close to the Creswick Trails
Creswick has a lot of native meals hotspots and, like the paths, has selection for everybody.
Throughout our time in Creswick, we tried out:
- French pastries at Le Peche Gourmand – Is there a greater solution to begin your day than a espresso and a French pastry?
- Creswick Nation Bakery – A basic bakery with a build-your-own sandwich bar – good to maximise day trip on the paths (and keep away from the lunch rush).
- Black Cat Truffles – With a touch of advantageous eating at reasonably priced costs and a peaceable and serene setting between Creswick and Ballarat, this place was a winner.
- Farmers Arms Resort – A basic nation pub vibe with hearty meals and chilly beers on faucet. A pleasant solution to wrap up a day or weekend in Creswick.
The grounds at Black Cat Truffles are attractive
If there’s one place to not miss on this listing, it’d must be Black Cat Truffles by chef Liam Downes, who was lately featured on MasterChef. The restaurant backs onto the farm the place they harvest their very own truffles, coupled with a contemporary and seasonal menu and a recreation of large Jenga to maintain it mild. It’s a should on any itinerary to Creswick. Talking of…
Recommended Creswick Itinerary
What you’ve all been ready for! Right here’s tips on how to maximise your mountain bike weekend in Creswick from a crew who’ve finished it.
Day 1
- Arrive in Creswick early within the morning and head straight to Le Peche Gourmand for a pastry and occasional earlier than hitting the paths (remember to verify what days Le Peche Gourmand is open to keep away from disappointment).
- Experience for a few hours earlier than lunchtime, warming up at Hammon Park and sinking your enamel into Inexperienced Apple (G8).
- Seize a salad roll at Creswick Nation Bakery.
- Head again out onto the paths and, this time, park on the junction of Brackenbury and Port Phillip Highway. Do some laps on Warami Galk Galk (L8) and Marsupial (W1) and, in case you’re feeling assured, ship some intermediate blue traces.
- Verify into lodging at RACV Goldfields Resort, eat upstairs at Springs Bar and Terrace and watch the sundown over the golf course.
It’s a snug and handy place to place your toes up
Day 2
- Begin the day a bit slower, taking in some historical past on the La Gerche Forest Stroll (2.2km).
- Brunch at Black Cat Truffles. Ensure you reserve upfront because it’s fairly small and widespread. Brunch is accessible 9am-11am on weekends, the remainder of the day is devoted to truffle hunts and degustations.
- Head to the junction of Brackenbury and Port Phillip Roads for simple entry to the Wooden Coupe space of Djuwang Baring. Deal with Marsupial (W1), Martuk (W6), and Wire (W2), maintain lapping till your coronary heart is content material.
- Chill out by St Georges Lake till mid-late afternoon.
- Head again to Brackenbury and Port Phillip Highway junction, this time to ship Warami Galk Galk (L8), Rainbow Method (L5), and Windlass (L3). By this time, your expertise must be a lot sharper and able to enhance the diploma of issue barely.
- End the night in Creswick on the Farmers Arms Resort with meal, a frothy on faucet, and a recreation of pool.
St Georges Lake is a must-visit
Day 3
- Chill out within the spa on the RACV Goldfields resort and provides your legs some TLC.
- Get all the way down to the buffet breakfast and replenish all that gasoline you misplaced sending the paths all weekend.
- Give your bikes clear earlier than testing.
- Begin planning your subsequent journey again to Creswick!
Nab a deal with from Le Peche Gourmand earlier than you allow!
FAQs for Visiting Creswick
What different adventures are round Creswick?
Be certain that to take a look at Ballarat, you may even hike there from Daylesford! For one thing extra low-key, cease in at Dunnstown Sunflower Discipline to choose your individual bouquet.
What’s the local weather like in Creswick?
Being in Victoria signifies that the temperature in Creswick can range quite a bit between summer time and winter. It may possibly attain the excessive 30s in summer time and in winter, it’s possible you’ll get single digits. Pack accordingly
