Lismore Discovery Trail

The Lismore Discovery Trail is a series of walking routes through Lismore which explore the town's history, natural environment and places of interest.

Interpretive signs are located along the trail and tell stories about the people, buildings, geology and natural features of the district.

Trail options include:

Township Route - 2.5 km, approximately 50 minutes
Recreational Route - 2 km, approximately 30 minutes
Cemetery Route - 1.1 km, approximately 15 minutes

The routes can be combined or explored separately. The trail follows streets, paths and sections beside Browns Waterholes, with routes extending through the township and towards Lismore Cemetery.

Interpretive sites along the Discovery Trail include:

Browns Waterholes and the geology of the area
Grimwade Park and its bird life
Wadawurrung history and early settlement
Presbyterian Bluestone Church
Masonic Hall
Mechanics Hall
Former flax mill
Lismore Cemetery
Historic locomotive at Grimwade Park
Avenue of Honour
Lismore's historic precinct

Browns Waterholes is an interesting feature of the walk. The creek has cut through to ancient granite bedrock, while the surrounding landscape provides evidence of the different geological periods which formed the Western District.

The trail also passes through areas where native birds and other wildlife can be seen. Fruit trees forming Lismore's Gathering Trail can also be found along parts of the route, with fruit available seasonally.

A new footbridge beneath the Hamilton Highway opened in June 2026. The bridge restores an important section of the Discovery Trail and allows walkers to pass beneath the busy highway rather than crossing the road. It also reconnects the walking route between Browns Waterholes and the Lismore Cemetery.

Access for Dogs:

Dogs can be walked along the trail. Keep dogs under effective control and obey any signed leash requirements.

Location:

Suggested starting point: Prospect (Broken Axle) sculpture, Cnr High Street and Heriot Street, Lismore.

Lismore Discovery Trail Map

Discovery Trail Markers:

Markers along the trail include:

Browns Waterholes - Geology: Discover the unusual geology beneath Lismore. Browns Waterholes has cut through to granite around 360 million years old. The nearby Boomerang Ridge is formed from much younger laterite, while basalt lava flows created the rich volcanic plains further west. The marker also tells how John Brown settled here in 1840 after the axle of his bullock dray broke while crossing the creek.
Grimwade Park - Bird Life: Learn about the variety of native birds found around Grimwade Park and the Browns Waterholes waterway. The park and creek provide habitat for numerous species and are good places for birdwatching.
First Settlement - Waddawurrung: Learn about the Wadawurrung people, the Traditional Custodians of the area, and the early history of settlement around Browns Waterholes.
Presbyterian Bluestone Church: The Lismore Presbyterian Church opened in 1864 and reflects the strong Scottish Presbyterian influence among the district's early settlers. The bluestone used for the church was quarried locally.
Masonic Hall: Discover the history of Lismore's Masonic Hall in William Street and the role the Masonic Lodge played in the social life of the early township.
Mechanics Hall: Learn about Lismore's former Mechanics Hall, which was built around 1880 and served as an important community meeting place. The original hall was eventually removed in the 1990s.
Flax Mill: The Lismore Flax Mill was built in 1943 during World War II to process locally grown flax used for items such as parachute webbing, bags, straps, leggings and puttees. At its peak the mill and associated work employed about 90 people, including up to 50 Women's Land Army workers.
Lismore Cemetery: Explore the historic cemetery on the rolling hills north of Lismore. The cemetery overlooks the township and contains the graves of generations of local residents and pioneering district families.
Grimwade Park - Locomotive D3671: The preserved D3671 steam locomotive commemorates the importance of the Victorian Railways to Lismore and the surrounding district. The locomotive was built at Newport Workshops in 1917 and was brought to Lismore for preservation in 1965.
Avenue of Honour: The marker tells the story of Lismore's Avenue of Honour and its role in commemorating local men and women associated with wartime service.
Historic Precinct: Discover Lismore's historic streetscape and surviving early buildings, including structures dating from the 1860s. The precinct provides an insight into the development of the township and its early commercial and community life.

Location

Cnr High Street and Heriot Street, Lismore 3324 View Map

Web Links

→ lismore.vic.au/discovery-trail.html