Blackwood was a thriving goldmining town during the 1850s when gold was discovered at nearby Golden Point. These days, Blackwood is a peaceful village, situated on the Lerderderg River and surrounded by the native forests of the Lerderderg State Park and Wombat State Forest. The Blackwood Mineral Springs Reserve is located off Golden Point Road, one kilometre east of the town centre. A small entra
nce fee (payable at the park ranger's office at the entrance) allows visitors access to a selection of picnic and BBQ shelters situated along the grassy banks of the Lerderderg River. The Soda Spring is located on the car park side of the river, while another mineral spring is situated directly on the other side of the river, accessed via a footbridge. From this other spring begins a couple of scenic walking tracks which end up at Shaws Lake via Sweets Lookout. For those not wishing to do the 30 minute walk to the lake, visitors can drive east along Golden Point Road, turn into North Blackwood Road, cross the Lerderderg River, then turn off onto Shaws Lake Road which leads to the lake and surrounding forest. At the end of Simmons Reef Road, to the west of Blackwood, is the Garden of St Erth. There is a plant nursery, gift shop and cafe, and a small entrance fee allows visitors to explore the surrounding gardens which feature an extensive range of plants from around the world including colourful flower displays, fruit trees and vegetable gardens. Also at the end of Simmons Reef Road is the entrance to the Jack Cann Reserve. There are walking tracks which lead to Fosters Lookout and the remnants of tunnels and mines from the gold mining days along Simmons Reef.
