Hepburn Regional Park Walking Tracks Reopened
Monday 31 March, 2025
Several walking tracks in Hepburn Regional Park are now open again after repairs were completed following damage from storms and flood.
The park, nestled around the famous mineral-springs townships of Daylesford, Hepburn, and Hepburn Springs, was one of the hardest-hit areas during severe storms and floods in Victoria.
Located on Dja Dja Wurrung Country, visitors can now enjoy more than 6km of walking tracks stretching from Twin Bridges (south of Daylesford) to the Blowhole car park (west of Hepburn).
Rodney Carter, Chief Executive Officer of Dja Dja Wurrung Group: “DJAARA and DJANDAK are proud to deliver upgrades to the trail network that will improve visitor experience in Hepburn Regional Park for years to come.”
Siobhan Rogan, Area Chief Ranger Ballarat: "It’s wonderful to reopen more walking tracks for everyone to enjoy—it’s a big step forward in repairing the park for visitors.”
The damage and debris from the storms created a huge challenge, and we’re continuing to work hard to restore these special spaces. It’s been a massive effort, but we’re excited to welcome visitors back to enjoy these beautiful areas again!"
The reopened tracks include:
- Blowhole to Bryces Flat
- Bryces Flat to Tipperary (both sides)
- Tipperary to Twin Bridges (west side only)
The park is jointly managed with DJAARA (the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation), who worked with Parks Victoria and contractors to repair the damage. Repairs included:
- Building stone river crossings at Twin Bridges and Bryces Flat
- Rebuilding stairs at The Blowhole
- Clearing fallen trees and overgrown plants
After the storms, many visitor areas were buried under debris and hundreds of fallen trees. Seven visitor areas and eight walking tracks were repaired, including Tipperary Springs Day Visitor Area and the track from Golden Spring to Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve (via Jacksons Lookout).
DJAARA and its enterprise DJANDAK delivered further improvements to the Hepburn Regional Park trail network, in addition to the flood recovery works. New footbridges have been built, along with around 90 stone steps, that will make the tracks more resilient to future flooding.
Why Visit?
Autumn is a great time to explore the park’s walking tracks, which wind through bushland, creeks, and historic water channels. You might spot birds like White-Browed Scrub Wrens, Crimson Rosellas, and Yellow Robins, as well as seasonal visitors like the Rufous Fantail and Satin Flycatcher. Koalas and kangaroos are often seen, while the rare Brush-Tailed Phascogale (a small marsupial) is harder to spot.
The park is a beautiful place with waterfalls, stunning views, natural springs, and reminders of the Gold Rush era. Many of the walks are easy, making it a great spot for visitors.