This walk doesn't require a lot of notes and it's easy to adjust the length, just walk until you've gone far enough, then turn around and walk back. There is a steep fire engine track on the left and a driveway on the right close to the start, but if you follow the aqueduct and the concrete path, you can't go wrong. The trail continues across the road from the carpark too, if you want to extend your walk. There is lots of bird life and you might see the odd kangaroo or two.
The track is good, mostly gravel and nice and wide. There is a significantly hilly concrete path near the beginning which zig zags down and then back up to rejoin the aqueduct and gravel path for the rest of the walk.
History: The aqueduct race itself is of important historical significance, being a rare and intact example of past engineering and construction methods. In 1914, following a very dry year, the Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) decided to increase Melbourne's water storage capacity. In 1916 the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission (SR&WSC) began construction of the Bunyip Main Race and the Beaconsfield and Frankston Reservoirs to supply water to the Mornington Peninsula. Melbourne Water decommissioned the Race between Beaconsfield Reservoir and Cannibal Creek in Tynong in 1997, due to deterioration of water quality and high costs of maintaining the facility. Melbourne Water transferred ownership of the Thewlis Road to Dickie Road section to Cardinia Shire Council at no cost, for the development of this multi-purpose trail, which opened in 2009, to conserve the heritage value of the aqueduct.
Find out more about our Social Walking Group here.
Starting Point: At the car park off Officer Road at the start of the Officer section of the Aqueduct Trail.
If you are coming up from the Princes Hwy, the entrance is on the left-hand side and there is a horizontal blue sign just before a bend.
From the Upper Beaconsfield direction, it's a bit harder to spot. There is a small blue sign on the left for the Pakenham part of the trail and the entrance to the carpark is on an angle just past that on the right hand side.
Distance: If you walk right to the end and back it's about 5.34km and may take around 1.5 hours.
If you want a really long walk, when you get back to the carpark, cross over Officer Rd and walk the Pakenham section of the Aqueduct Trail too.
Toilets: None nearby so go before you arrive :) The closest ones are at Charing Cross or the Community Centre in Upper Beaconsfield, or the Cardinia Shire Civic Centre in Starling Rd Officer, depending on which way you are coming or going.
Dogs: Allowed (On Leash Only)
For your GPS: 230 Officer Rd, Pakenham