Werribee Gorge State Park is a state park in Victoria, Australia. It is located near Bacchus Marsh and is popular with bushwalkers and rock climbers, all attracted to its spectacular views and significant geological features.
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The main and striking feature of this wonderful park, Werribee Gorge, in which the Werribee River meanders through, is certainly acquired world-wide fame throughout the last century for its geological value.
Werribee Gorge has attracted the attention of geologists last century as one of the earliest known ancient glacial deposits, parts of which can be seen by the observant visitor. The 200m deep gorge was formed about a million years ago when movements along a fault in the Earth's crust steepened the river's gradient. Since then the stream has continued to deepen the gorge through underlying rock to ancient sediments deposited in a sea more than 400 million years ago. Other geological events that have since occurred include the advance and retreat of an ice sheet and the inflow of volcanic lava.
There is a spectacular walking track which winds itself through the breathtaking gorge, which popular with bushwalkers and locals alike. It is certainly one of the greatest 'treasures' near Melbourne.
On January 29, 2010, 2 climbers from Melbourne's western suburbs climbed one of the gorge's cliff faces. One of the climbers injured his shoulder, leaving the other to climb the rest of the gorge alone to seek help. An experienced outdoorsman, Aris Parente climbed a further 150 meters to alert local Police and SES workers to rescue the stuck climber. At approximately 3.30am, Vinh Hoang was rescued by the dedicated Bacchus Marsh Victoria Police and State Emergency Service.
Werribee Gorge State Park is about 8 km west of Bacchus Marsh and can be approached by two routes. The first is via the Western Freeway and the Pentland Hills Road to Myers Road, a gravel road steep in places. This provides access to the Gorge itself. The second is via Ironbark Road (the Ballan-Ingliston Road) which is approached from the Bacchus Marsh-Anakie Road.
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