Wallaby Track Stage Three 2020

U3A Hike No 97

Report by Martin Russell

After travelling to Daylesford Lake to park our pick-up vehicles, we travelled on to Leonards Hill to commence our hike.  Leonards Hill is a small village which first emerged as a saw milling settlement, to satisfy the demands for timber required by the mining industry in the then nearby goldfields of Daylesford, Smeaton, Allendale, Creswick and Ballarat.

At Leonards Hill we turned into Barkstead Road and continued on to Sailors Creek Road until we arrived at our departure point – Wallaby Track.

Following our customary pre-walk briefing and a double check of the head count, all 28 members of the party set off along Wallaby Track towards Lake Daylesford, each immediately engaging in the normal practice of conversation as we went.

We continued along along the Wallaby Track for some distance, not realising how close we were to cleared land; enjoying the bush surrounding and noting the signs detailing the rules for firewood collection.

Crossing over Telegraph Road we continued along the Wallaby Track and eventually crossing over Sailors Creek.  It was around this time that we stopped for morning tea and more conversations.  Before heading off again, Andrew provided a short history of the Three Lost Children.  The full story of this tragedy can be found at https://www.ffm.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0022/26284/FS0084-The-Three-Lost-Children-Walk.pdf

The route followed Black Jack Track for a short time and then continued on past Sailors Hill. 

After crossing Sailors Creek for the second time and up a short steep hill, we took a break for lunch, with most of us seating ourselves on a very large (downed) tree.  After refreshing ourselves and enjoying the natural surrounds and good company, we recommenced our journey.

We walked along Old Ballarat Road and then after around 40 metres, we turned onto Goo Goo Road, walked past a couple of houses and then negotiated some awkward steps.
We then followed a narrow track following an old water race with an abundance of blackberries either side.  Mind the prickles!!

The track which ran alongside Stony Creek and after travelling some distance we came around a bend in the track, crossed over Stony Creek and arrived at Sutton Springs.  A mineral spring discovered in the 1890’s and named by two miners; sons of Thomas Sutton.  The springs were discovered while the brothers were sluicing for gold.

After many had quenched their thirsts at Sutton Springs, we continued along until we came upon the “Cottage” a handmade wrought iron (airy) cottage sculpture by Jason Waterhouse (2015).  The sculpture takes the form of a double fronted Daylesford miner’s cottage; typical of the miner’s house in the early days. 

We then continued past Wagga Spring, Hard Hill Spring and Central Spring and as the spring in our steps began to subside, we arrived at Lake Daylesford, enjoying the view of the lake from its southern end, passing the old changerooms and looking forward to a brew from the Splinters Café.  An excellent way to cap off and fabulous walk in the environment and exchanging stories.

A short note.  When the townsite of Daylesford was surveyed in 1854 it was named Wombat.  It was then renamed by Sir Charles Hotham, Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria, after the place in Gloucestershire where Warren Hastings, the first Governor-General of India had died in 1818.  It would be interesting today if Daylesford had retained the name Wombat – we would have the Wombat Health resorts etc.

Photos by Mark Bevelander

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