Pakenham - Cardinia Aqueduct Trail
This is a popular walk which follows the old Aqueduct. The Bunyip Main Race, as it was then known, was built in 1914 to transport water from Tarago to Beaconsfield Reservoir.
This relatively flat track is horse friendly. Keep a look out for Peregrine falcons, brown tree creepers, honeyeaters, Blue Wrens and scrub wrens which can be seen in the Peppermint and Messmate Eucalypt forest. The complete walk is 11.6km but you can walk as far as you like and return back to the start.
There is a carpark on the east end of the trail at 264 Thewlis Road and a carpark on the west end near the intersection of Officer Road and Carpenter Road. Car parking can be tight, particularly in the morning and late afternoon.
Walkers, cyclists and horses are permitted on the trail. Motor cycles are prohibited.
Access for Dogs:
Dogs are permitted on lead.
Review:
We started our walk at the Cardinia Aqueduct Trail East Carpark (264 Thewlis Road, Pakenham). There is a track following the aqueduct to the east for about 500m. However, the main trail heads off to the west along a wide track which gradually goes uphill. The track is beside the aqueduct culvert which does disappear for a section. The Thewlis Road to Officer-Upper Beaconsfield Road section is about 2km in length. The trail passes the Hillview Bushland Reserve. At the end of this section is the Cardinia Aqueduct Trail West Carpark where there is a carpark with bins.
The next section west from Officer-Upper Beaconsfield Road is another 2km. The trail does not connect to Dickie road and you need to return back via the trail.
Generally the path is good for cycling but there is one steep rocky section where we saw a young rider fall off his bike and later you come to a steep section where signage recommends cyclists to dismount.
Photos:
Location
264 Thewlis Road, Pakenham 3810 Map
