16. Goldfields-Dry Diggings Track Stage Four 9.2km

 U3A Hike No 16


Hike Report By Tim Bosher

10 walkers met at Kirks Reservoir for the penultimate stage of this walk. 

Unfortunately, a Tim who shall remain nameless charged off to Glenlyon instead of Guildford - thanks to everyone for waiting for me. 

The walk commenced at Vaughan Springs in beautiful calm winter weather with a touch of sunshine and wended its way for 10 easy kilometres past the old brewery sites to Fryerstown and on to Spring Gully. 

This was a particularly interesting and scenic walk with lots of historical interest along the way, even including a couple of errant trams which had escaped to the country. The Spring Gully mine site was most impressive in scale with huge mullock heaps and much evidence of significant building infrastructure. This is described as one of the most famous mines in the Castlemaine district, operating from the 1850s to the 1930s. 

After a car shuffle the group enjoyed lunch at Vaughan Springs with a number of people remarking that they would return to this attractive spot with family. Thence to Guilford for coffee at the store and a group hug at The Big Tree, which is indeed …big. 

Thanks to Andrew for his leadership of the group and best wishes for his exploits in Holland and also great news to hear Greg is progressing well with his recuperation. 


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INTERACTIVE MAP

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