The Morning Star Track is named after the mine of the same name and the off road portion is shown in blue in the map above. This mine was operating as recently as the 1980's on a very small scale but has since closed down.

The track is a vehicle track which can be negotiated in a car but is more suited to a 4WD - particularly in wet weather. The road is fairly washed out and rutted at most times and receives little maintenance which adds to the fun when on the bike. The shorter Old Coach Road circuit is approximately 6 km long and the longer Morning Star Track circuit is approximately 8 km long.

I normally undertake the ride commencing at the Blackwood Pub and head southwards as it gets the main climb out of the way first. This can be done by taking either of the following routes:

• Martin Street and then the Greendale Trentham Road (the main road),
• Byers Road (heads uphill from the pub and passes the historic cemetery before rejoining the main road) or
• Martin Street, turn right at Simmons Reef Road, head down to Skinners Road and follow it back up to the Greendale Trentham Road.

There is not much difference in distance between the routes but the latter routes do keep you off the main road as much as possible. There is a consistent climb out of town rising 100 metres over the 2 kms to the turn off which is on the left and is clearly marked by a wooden pole with the track name on it. It's adjacent to the large Blackwood Wombat sign so its pretty easy to find.

After approximately 1.2 kms from the turn off, the old mine area is located on the left. Not much to see now as it has been caved in.

After approximately 1.5 kms from the turn off, you have a choice of turning left into Old Coach Road which brings you into a quick descent down to Golden Point Road near the rear of the Royal Mail Hotel remains. Alternatively you can turn right and keep following the Morning Star track around to the start of the Byers Back Track and then back down Golden Point Road to Blackwood.

As the circuit is relatively short, I tend to tie it in with a ride up to Shaws Lake or further north up the North Blackwood Road into the Shaws Lake or Yankee Mine Area.

The ride is reasonably straight forward with the main challenge being the initial climb and then, after that, technical issues such as washouts, branches, etc.

The following photo gallery has been taken from the turn off from the Greendale - Trentham Road and the ends of the alternative routes being the Old Coach Road route and the full Morning Star Track.

This is the Morning Star track turn off located 2 kms south of Blackwood. The other photos show track quality which is typical of the whole route.

Can get a bit boggy in the winter.

If you turn left at first intersection, you will follow Old Coach Road out onto Golden Point Road which you can follow into Blackwood.

If you turn right at same intersection, you will come out on Golden Point Road further down. This is near the start of the Byers Back Track.

	Parking is available at Blackwood town centre or at the Recreation Reserve.
	Toilet facilities are available at Blackwood (located on hill opposite pub).
	Drinking water is available at the gold stamper opposite the pub.
	Food can be obtained at the Blackwood Pub, Garden of St Erth or Blackwood Provedore (both are good).
	Local area information can be obtained from the noticeboard to the right of the Blackwood Provedore.