Dry Diggings Track Stage Two - Cry Joe Walk

Dry Diggings Track Stage Two - Cry Joe Walk

U3A Hike No 68 

By Jenette Callow 

Cry Joe Walk is so named, because diggers would cry “Joe, Joe, Joe” to warn miners of approaching troopers. From 1851 mining gold was illegal without a licence.

The group left damp Ballarat (from Kirks Reservoir) in 11 cars and regrouped at Guildford near the Big Tree. After admiring the tree, we then traveled to Vaughan Springs to leave half the cars and take all hikers and remaining cars to the start of our walk from Spring Gully Road.

The track was rough underfoot, loose stones indicative of the mining area we were moving into, Spring Gully Mines.

The mines operated from 1850’s until the 1930’s. The most prominent feature is the high stone- faced loading ramp from which quartz was fed into a stamping battery for crushing. On an upper level, steps lead to the remains of the 1930’s phase. We walked amongst large mullock heaps, some appeared to be made entirely of slate.

We continued on, mostly uphill through open bush, to green farmland with quaint old buildings built from the local stone. We observed a massive steel beam with riveted joints lying alongside the track amongst poisoned blackberry vines, and shortly after, the group moved into Fryerstown Park for a morning tea.

Many fine buildings remain in Fryerstown which once, had a population of 15,000 with 25 hotels during the gold rush years.

Not long after leaving Fryerstown we came across what was once a miniature rail ride on private property.

The walk continued through farmland until we crossed the Vaughan/Chewton Road and pushing on through the bush the main body of walkers found themselves at a T- intersection with no leaders in sight and no signage. A quick call and we then moved onto picturesque Central Springs. Some of the hikers walked down the steep track to the Spring beside the Loddon River. The views above and below were excellent. One kilometre further and we arrived at our destination, Vaughan Springs Park area for lunch. Most hikers arrived via the giant slide to the amusement of Vic Parks workers on their lunch break nearby.

After lunch we were shown where we would begin the next stage of the Dry Diggings Track. The track goes over the Lodden River and high up on the opposite bank where stone has been laid to create the track and views of the river valley to behold.

The group gathered for coffee at Guildford and everyone commented about the diversity of the landscape, having some sunshine and the interesting historical aspects of an excellent day.

Thank you, Andrew.

Photo's By Mark Bevelander