Noorat - Mount Noorat (Alan Marshal Memorial) Walk

Perched on the rim of one of Victoria's best-preserved volcanic craters, the Alan Marshall Discovery Trail is a short but rewarding walk that combines spectacular scenery with literary history. The trail climbs Mount Noorat, an extinct volcano rising above the rich farming country of the Western District, and was named after celebrated Australian author Alan Marshall, whose classic autobiography I Can Jump Puddles was inspired by his childhood in Noorat.

The walk begins through a gate on Morack Street, just off Glenormiston Road. A well-formed crushed bluestone path steadily climbs for around 500 metres to a viewing platform overlooking the enormous volcanic crater. From here, walkers are treated to magnificent views into the crater, which is approximately 159 metres deep and 400 metres across, making it one of the finest examples of a dormant volcanic maar in Victoria.

For those wanting an even better view, the trail continues for another 500 metres along a steeper, less-formed track to the 310-metre summit of Mount Noorat. From the top, panoramic views stretch across the Volcanic Lakes and Plains, taking in rich farmland, volcanic cones and nearby lakes including Lake Keilambete and Mount Elephant on a clear day.

The trail is suitable for most walkers with a reasonable level of fitness. The first section to the crater lookout is on a formed path, while the final climb to the summit is noticeably steeper and can be slippery after rain. Allow 25–30 minutes return to the crater lookout or 40–60 minutes return if continuing to the summit.

Mount Noorat has long been an important landmark. For thousands of years it was a significant meeting place for Aboriginal people, while in more recent history it became closely associated with Alan Marshall, whose stories of growing up in Noorat introduced generations of Australians to the district's unique landscape and community.

Mount Noorat Walk Map

At a glance

Distance: 2 km return to the summit (1 km return to crater lookout)
Time: 40–60 minutes return (25–30 minutes to crater lookout)
Grade: Easy to moderate (steep near the summit)
Trail type: Return walk
Dogs: Permitted on a leash
Toilets: No
Picnic facilities: No
Best time to visit: Clear mornings or late afternoon for the best views

Access for Dogs:

Dogs permitted on a leash

Review:

There is a small carpark with unshaded table and seat and a bin. The area has a lot of electric fences so care needs to be taken if you don't want practical experience with the power of electricity.

The easiest and shortest walk is 500m one-way to the crater viewing platform along an uphill gravel path which has a seat and shelter if you need a rest. This is named the "Crater Lookout Trail" and is shown in yellow on the map.

On the way to the crater viewing platform there is a gate which leads to the "Mortlake South Wind Farm Lookout". Follow the grassy track up to the lookout with views of the township of Noorat including the old Butter Factory and the wind farm.

After admiring the views return with the option of connecting to the "Crater Rim & Summit Trail" which is purple on the map. There is a steeper track to the rim if you want to go around the rim in a clockwise direction. It is easier to use the path up to the rim which goes past the crater viewing platform and onto the summit in a anti-clockwise direction.

The rim is surrounded by a wire fence. The crater has extremely steep sides dotted with trees and there is no access to the bottom of the crater. It's so steep, no one in their right mind would want to go down those slopes anyway.

At the summit there is a direction marker, memorial to a local farmer, John Niel Black, who died here in an accident whilst moving cattle and rock seats, although sitting on a freezing rock is the last thing you want to do with the wind whistling around your ears.

In general, dress on the expectation that the location may be cold and windy.

Photos:

Location

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