Breakneck Hill Hike

U3A HIKE NO 96

Hike Report by Andrew Parker

To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. (Tennyson) 

Ten Intrepid hikers commenced hiking from Chokem Flats camp ground near Fryerstown and headed in a northerly direction to Breakneck Hill.   

The name ‘Breakneck Hill’ made us wonder what we were in for, but as Gordon assured us, it was just a steady upward four kilometre climb to the top. 

We turned left at Telecom Track, obviously named for the telecommunications cable which had been laid through the forest here, and not long after we turned again to follow the Campbells Creek Channel, part of an extensive system of channels right across this region 

At Vaughan, in the dry summer of 1861-62, water-starved miners told a visitor that should ‘a main conduit’ from the Coliban River be constructed, ‘whole hills would be made to pay, such as Bald, Shicer, [and] Kangaroo, ... while the whole basaltic plain towards Newstead might be tunnelled with advantage.’13 Their dream partly was realised in the Coliban Scheme, the government’s ambitious and expensive response to water shortages on the Castlemaine and Bendigo gold fields. It began with the opening of the Malmsbury Reservoir in 1870 and part of its system of channels supplied water to communities in the eastern portion of the Shire after 1877. Barkers Creek Reservoir supplied Campbells Creek and enabled the expansion of local orchards and vineyards. Coliban water made hydraulic sluicing possible on an unprecedented scale which, by 1905, contributed to severe silting of the Loddon. In 1955, the Coliban system included 388 miles of channel and 315 miles of pipeline.14   
Source: Heritage Study of the Shire of Newstead 

These water races make for nice, easy fairly level hiking and this one eventually lead us to the Eureka Reef Heritage Park, where we investigated the ruins of the Cornish Chimney, the Stamping Battery several cottages and the Puddling Machine, as well as disused adits and deep vertical shafts. 
After inspecting these interesting relics, we stopped there for lunch before moving on. 
The sun had come out by this time, and combined with the unseasonal humidity, we found the need to drink lots of water to keep hydrated. 

Several more kilometres of water channels (and coming across an echidna at the bottom of one) and we found ourselves entering the outskirts of Chewton and as we passed the local swimming pool, we became quite envious of the local schoolchildren splashing about and keeping cool. 



Photo's by Andrew Parker

Click the first photo for slide show























Most of the group stopped for a welcome drink at the Guildford General Store as seen here in earlier times:

 RELIVE THE HIKE - CLICK HERE

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Berringa Mines and Heritage Walk - 9 Kms

Image
 U3A Hike No 279 Hike Report by Lyn The day was overcast and hazy as our group set out from the Berringa Recreation Reserve and started walking back towards Ballarat. Soon we stopped and marvelled in awe as Andrew waved a $50 note in the air, then a $5 note apparently picked up from amongst the roadside litter. However we were not fooled and Andrew returned the notes to his pocket and we continued on.  Our first mine we came across was the Birthday Tunnel mine set high up the steep sided gully. Since our last visit in February 2021, the mining relics consisting of brickwork and a rusting boiler were still evident but a new addition in the form of a modern looking living transportable container was within close proximity. Not wanting to hang around for too long we then descended the steep sided gully concentrating on our foot placement as it would have been very easy to slip on the downward leaning grasses, although we took time out to look at the impressive mullock heap.  With expert n
Read more

287. Frith Gully - Mt Misery Loop. Enfield State Park

Image
 U3A Hike No 287 Hike Report by Colin Fraser Eight hikers assembled outside the Marty Busch Reserve in Sebastopol for an 11.5 km hike on the Frith Gully-Mt Misery Loop in the Enfield State Park. We travelled in two vehicles to the start of the walk at Bald Hill on Incolls Road, Enfield. The walk was graded as moderate, and described as continuously hilly. We walking paths and rough bush roads through isolated parts of the park. There were deep gullies with lush vegetation, high ridges with open scrub, and areas that still bear the scars of extensive surface mining in the 19th century. We followed Misery Creek Road south then the Misery Creek and Forest Park walking tracks to Surface Point Picnic Ground, where we had smoko. Before arriving at Surface Point we were accompanied overhead by the raucous alarm calls of a group of cockatoos warning of our intrusion into their forest. Coincidently this occurred just near Mt Cockatoo!! We shared the picnic table with a man who was camping there
Read more

305. Fisherman's Bend - Port Melbourne Walk 11.3km

Image
 U3A Hike No 305 Aerial Photo Showing Former Airfield Hike Report By Sharon Moss. On a blustery but fortunately dry morning , 19 intrepid travelers made their way to Southern Cross Station to begin their suburban hike through Fisherman’s Bend - Port Melbourne. We set off at a brisk pace with Andrew capably leading us & Gordon as whip. We had a lovely walk along the banks of the Yarra River, passing impressive boats moored at the marina with one bearing the name Costa Lot ! Andrew pointed out pylons that are decorative rather than functional, as they sit adjacent to the Bolte bridge but are not part of the structure . Passing under the bridge, we then joined busy Lorimer St , where conversation slowed somewhat as noise overtook. We were all alert watching out for bikes , scooters, joggers & traffic ! We passed several landmarks of interest . The  art deco building previously GMH , with one part of the building now occupied by a Ballarat company J King  Homes . Andrew shared inte
Read more