The Blackwood Times

Crown Reserves

Blackwood Crown Reserves Committee of Management Inc. has responsibility to manage, improve, maintain & control 7 sites in Blackwood. These are:

1. Blackwood Cricket & Recreation Reserve - sport,public recreation, picnicking & toilet facilities;


2. Blackwood Mechanics Institute Reserve - public hall & amenities & (registered but inactive) kindergarten;


3. Blackwood Mineral Springs & Tourist Park - mineral springs, caravan park & camping, river walks, picnicking & toilet facilities;


4. Blackwood Public Park & Recreation Reserve - includes Tennis Courts & the Old Bowling Green, bushwalking;


5. Blackwood Swimming Pool Reserve including the Swimming Hole - recreation, conservation, observation, bushwalking & picnicking;


6. Jack Cann Reserve - conservation, observation & bushwalking, and


7. Povey’s Road Reserve - observation & bushwalking.

Below the updates are maps of the areas Crown Reserves looks after, click on each for a larger view.

Blackwood Progress Association Inc.

Progress aims to serve as a forum for discussing community concerns and interests, while prioritising the protection and rehabilitation of Blackwood’s natural environment. It seeks to foster economic development in a manner that preserves the community’s unique identity and respects residents' lifestyle choices. Efforts are focused on improving and developing valuable community assets through various fundraising activities, including appeals, donations, and events.

Progress also supports and collaborates with other local groups and sporting organisations, especially those providing services for children. Progress also strives to maintain a strong, cooperative relationship with the Moorabool Council to ensure local input in government decisions affecting the community. Progress also coordinates and organises work and working bees for various projects as determined by its members.

Progress also Organises the Annual Blackwood Easter Carnival that has been the largest Blackwood event for the last 122 years (as of 2024)

Blackwood Public Cemetery Trust

Our cemetery is often complimented on by our visitors, as being one of the more picturesque sites in all of Victoria, we agree.

As a final resting place it is certainly peaceful and serene, this sentiment seconded by the mob of kangaroos that also call it home during the day!

The grounds are the final resting place for many of our pioneers, with the earliest known burial dating back to 1855.

There is a self guided tour of the cemetery the visitor can take that not only gives a taste of our storied history, but also, a glimpse into the many stories this towns descendants have to offer.

Blackwood & Barry's Reef Landcare Group

Blackwood & Barry’s Reef Landcare Group has been around for over 20 years. We are a group of local residents who are passionate about actively caring for the land, waterways, plants, animals, fungi…all the natural beauty of a very special part of Victoria. We undertake weed management, revegetation, citizen science activities and have fun along the way!

Our general meetings are held bimonthly at either the community room of the Blackwood Hall or the Blackwood Uniting Church St Martin’s Chapel.

Because much of our area of interest is in public (state/local government) ownership, an important role for us is coordinating with the public land managers regarding weed management. Our members report weed outbreaks before they become too large and costly to manage. And local residents can also do their part in stopping weeds escaping into the surrounding forest.

As a member of Landcare Victoria Inc and also Moorabool Landcare Network, Blackwood & Barry’s Reef Landcare Group taps into the resources of the wider Landcare “family”.

Blackwood & District Historical Society

The historical society supports and encourages the preservation of the history of Blackwood and the surroundings including Barrys Reef and Greenhills. We are a friendly group of volunteers that meet officially once a month at our home base, we however meet much more often to explore the area, discuss history and search out relics of the past of this amazing township. Blackwood came of age in the gold rush beginning in 1855 where the population at one point reached an amazing 13,000 individuals with many hotels, stores, gold workings and hopeful prospectors living it rough. Blackwood now has approximately 300 permanent residents and is a favourite spot for tourists if you are visiting on one of our open days we would love to share with you stories, photos and relics of the past.

Blackwood Cricket Club

The home of the Blackwood Eagles started way back in the 1870s. Stopped and started a few times over the years and has now been going since 1990.
Many players have come and gone over the years with not many long term players.
We are a struggling side but a good bunch of people that enjoy having a good time and what we think is the best cricket ground in the state!
New members are always welcome, kids cricket will happen again and anyone 14 and over will make up the senior team.
GO EAGLES



Here is some interesting history on the Cricket ground.

The area where the Blackwood Sports Ground now stands was originally the Chinese market gardens, and in 1889 they sold the land to the Blackwood Cricket Club, and this land became a recreation reserve.

Excerpt Recreation Reserve Trust Meeting held - 1908. A meeting of the Recreation Reserve Trust was held on Wednesday last. Present - M.T. Vigor (chairman); M.M.J. Croker (Hon Sec), Messrs H.H.Cann, H.H.Terrill. The contract price for forming a bicycle track, £12, Mr W. Croker, was passed for payment, and tenders are called for removing and re-erecting the cottage purchased by the Trust for a dressing room. Tenders returnable on Wednesday next.
This cottage purchased by the Trust for a dressing room was originally the home of Billy Pincombe, and sold after his death to be pulled down and the timber used for the Blackwood Cricket Club dressing room.

This building was later washed away in 1909 when the Simmons Reef Reservoir embankment burst, and an immense lot of damage was done; no fewer than five big bridges being swept away. The cricket pavilion, containing three rooms, the dressing room erected in 1908 at the bottom end of the ground, and all other buildings, disappeared at one blow right down the river.
Historical information provided by Margot Hitchcock, Historian Blackwood & District Historical Society

Blackwood Go Club

Go is probably the oldest board game known. Created in the Chinese Emperor Shu dynasty (approx. 2200 BC), it is a game where balance of territory is primary but balance of power enables influence and enhances security. I agree that Go is to chess as chess is to checkers, but I’m no checkers expert! Go is played on a rectangular block with a grid of 2 sets of 19 black lines. Black & white stones are placed on the interstices of these. At the end of the game the player with control of more territory is the winner. Unlike chess, all pieces in Go are equal. In chess if a major piece is lost, that probably means the game is lost. In Go, one can lose a battle but still win the ‘war’. In the Japanese Tsin dynasty (200 BC - 600 AD), 2 warlords, after much bloodshed, decided to let the resolution of their antagonisms rest on a game of Go played against each other. Now that’s an idea!

Blackwood Emergency Resilience Group

The Blackwood Emergency Resilience Group (BERG) is a relatively new group whose aim is to increase the preparedness of Blackwood and surrounds for future emergency events.

The group, now an Incorporated Association, came about with support from Moorabool Council in response to the June 2021 storm event which impacted our area significantly. Funding was provided via Emergency Recovery Victoria allowing BERG to do a considerable amount of work over the last year or two.
An "8 Actions Plan" was developed after consulting with locals to see how prepared they felt for an emergency event and what might help improve their awareness and preparedness. BERG is very happy to report that 6 of those actions were completed in their first year.
A magnetic flip chart was developed including localised information about what to do in various emergency events and an expo was held with representatives from numerous emergency services and support agencies providing information about the numerous things that have to be considered by those of us living in a stunning but high risk area.
We are always keen to hear your ideas and would welcome new members. Please follow us on Facebook for information about upcoming meetings (at the pub!) and events and contact us at blackwooderg@gmail.com any time. Stay safe.

Blackwood Bocce

The Blackwood Petanque Group meets at 10.00am each Sunday at The Blackwood Oval for about 5 years. It is a group that is as much about keeping active and having fun as it is about competition! A message to remind and prepare players is sent out each Saturday afternoon.

We like to keep active and have fun whilst enjoying some good natured competition. The great advantage of this game is that it is not too physically demanding so it suits most people.

We have a regular core group of about 8-10 people and have had many visitors over the years. After the game we gather at the Post Office Cafe for a coffee and have a pleasant catch up.

Everyone is welcome to come and have a try!

Blackwood Cricket & Recreation Reserve

Blackwood Mechanics Institute Reserve

Blackwood Mineral Springs & Caravan Park

Escape to a Timeless Bush Retreat

Step back in time and embrace a tranquil bush escape, far from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Reconnect with family and nature in a place where simplicity meets serenity.

Unwind, Explore, and Rejuvenate

Whether you're gathering around a cozy campfire or venturing out to explore, our park offers the perfect setting to relax, refresh, and recharge—just an hour from Melbourne.

Old-School Charm, Pet-Friendly, and Teeming with Wildlife

Enjoy the charm of yesteryear with modern comforts. Our pet-friendly park welcomes you and your furry friends to a world of natural beauty, with abundant wildlife and a gently flowing river.

Power, Water, and Comfort

Choose from powered and unpowered sites or stay in one of our onsite accommodations, all set within a stunning bush landscape. After a day of adventure, refresh yourself with a hot shower and proper flushing toilets. Laundry facilities with coin-operated washers and dryers are available too.

Play, Splash, and Explore

Watch your kids discover the wonders of the cross-age playground or cool off in our gorgeous swimming holes, located right here in the park.

Cook, Dine, and Savor

Whip up a meal with fresh produce using our kitchen facilities, including a fridge, microwave, kettle, toaster, electric hotplates, and grill. Fire up the coin-operated BBQs and enjoy your meal at the communal camp dining table, sharing stories with old friends and new.

Relax, Gather, and Share

Gather around the communal campfires for stories and songs under the stars. Unwind with a drink, or cozy up with a good book or board game in our charming old timber camp hut.

Pets, Wildlife, and Conservation

Your pets will enjoy their stay as much as you do, as long as they're on leads and you're diligent about cleaning up after them. Meanwhile, respect and protect our incredible wildlife—keep an eye out for wombats, kangaroos, gliders, possums, koalas, and vibrant birdlife.

Available Onsite

• Washing powder


• Bagged firewood


• Bagged ice

Complimentary Delights

• Exceptional customer service


• Access to the Mineral Springs


• Refreshing and unique mineral spring water


• Local tourist information


• Wildlife and bird watching


• Bushwalks, running tracks, and bike trails


• Endless forest exploration

Povey’s Road Reserve & Jack Cann Reserve

Blackwood Swimming Pool Reserve

Pups & Pinots!

I am taking expressions of interest to join a little start up club if you will - PUPS & PINOTS!
A social and wine group for humans and dogs in Blackwood, come along to meet more people and get your dogs social/energy fix for the afternoon!
Ensuring your pup gets mental and physical exercise each day is tough, so I'm hoping this can be beneficial for both pups and peeps alike.
Bring your dog, a beverage or two, and enjoy the (increasingly nicer) outdoor weather with fellow Dog Slaves!

St Martins Chapel

Blackwood Community