Bacchus Marsh - Avenue of Honour River Circuit Walk - Central

Bacchus Marsh - Avenue of Honour River Circuit Walk

A 2.9km loop walk which starts from the Rupert Vance Moon Reserve next to the Lerderderg River where the Bacchus Marsh Road crosses the river. The reserve has three shelters with one table each, toilets, BBQ and water tap (without a bowl for dogs).

Follow the track along the river bank for 1.1km to the west. The first section of the walk is along a gravel path with a steep bank down to the river. There are trees and bushes on both sides of the path. Noise from the highway is a little intrusive in this section.

Then follow the path south to the Avenue of Honour and continue back to the reserve along the gravel path which runs parallel to the road. There are a couple of seats to rest along the route.

The Avenue of Honour is lined with trees dedicated to fallen service people from the area. There are also some information boards about some of the people.

Beware of snakes during the warmer months.

Avenue of Honour River Circuit Walk

Access for Dogs:

Dogs are permitted on leash. The first section (1.1km) along the river from Rupert Vance Moon Reserve is off-leash.

Rupert Vance "Mick" Moon V.C.

Rupert "Mick" Moon was born at Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. He had been in the militia, and in 1914 enlisted in the light horse. He was sent to Gallipoli, then in September 1916 was commissioned and transferred to the 58th Australian Infantry Battalion to replace recent losses.

At Bullecourt on the 12 May 1917, Moon led an attack on an enemy strongpoint but was soon wounded. Not giving up, and continually calling, "come on boys", he was badly wounded twice more but still stayed to lead, inspire, and encourage his men. "We would have followed him anywhere, he was that game", said one. Only when he was wounded for a fourth time, severely now, did he finally agree to retire and seek medical help.

Moon returned to Australia but went back to Europe and ended the war as a temporary Captain. Afterwards he worked in a bank and as an accountant. He was eventually one of the last surviving Australian Victoria Cross holders of the war.

Moon was awarded the Victoria Cross, service medals for the First World War, coronation medals for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II, and the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal.