Victoria location profile
Blackwood VIC 3458
A tiny historic gold-rush village nestled in tall forest near the Lerderderg Gorge, Blackwood offers a quiet, nature-focused escape. It appeals to tree-changers and weekenders for its heritage cottages, mineral springs and access to extensive walking and 4WD tracks.
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Why families consider Blackwood
Small, tight-knit community of long-term locals, retirees and weekenders, with a creative and outdoorsy vibe. Lifestyle centers on bushwalking, goldfield history, riverside picnics and the local pub/cafe scene, with homes ranging from miners' cottages to cabins on bush blocks.
Amenities & services
- Blackwood General Store and Post Office
- Blackwood Hotel
- Blackwood Mineral Springs Caravan Park kiosk/cafe
- Trentham town centre shops, supermarket and cafes (approx. 10-12km)
- GP clinics in Trentham and Bacchus Marsh; nearest hospitals in Daylesford and Bacchus Marsh
- Trentham Library, High Street, Trentham
- Lerderderg Library, Bacchus Marsh
- Ballan Library, Ballan
Transport & connectivity
- Nearest train stations: Bacchus Marsh and Ballan (Ballarat line); Macedon and Gisborne (Bendigo line)
- Limited V/Line coach services via Trentham; local school buses
- Major roads: Greendale–Trentham Road (C318), Blackwood–Simmons Reef Road; Western Freeway (M8) access via Greendale/Bacchus Marsh
Lifestyle & recreation
- Lerderderg Gorge and State Park walking, camping and 4WD tracks
- Blackwood Mineral Springs Reserve and riverside picnics
- The Garden of St Erth (Diggers Club) gardens and events
- Community markets and live music at the local pub
- Sports facilities in nearby Trentham (oval, courts)
- Blackwood Mineral Springs Reserve
- Wombat State Forest
- Lerderderg State Park
- The Garden of St Erth
Education context
No dedicated childcare in Blackwood; childcare and kindergarten options are available in Trentham, Daylesford and Bacchus Marsh.
- Federation University Australia, Mt Helen (Ballarat) campus
- Victoria University, Footscray Park and St Albans campuses
- The University of Melbourne, Parkville campus
- La Trobe University, Bendigo campus