Castlemaine - The Monk, Castlemaine Diggings NHP Circuit - 12.6 Kms

 U3A Hike No. 192


Hike Report by Janet

With the promise of another beautiful autumn day, our group of seven drove to Castlemaine for the beginning of our walk from Castlemaine to The Monk.

As the sun came out, we joined the narrow, stony track alongside the Poverty Gully Channel and continued for several kilometres following the course of the channel as it wound its way around the contours of the terrain. Already seeing much evidence of the extensive gold mining in this area and marvelling at the achievement of digging out this extensive channel to provide water to both the diggings and the townships.  

‘Droughts plagued the diggings, and sometimes work had to stop due to lack of water. This channel is part of a water race that was constructed in the 1860s and 1870s to bring water from the Coliban River. When water is released into the system (generally during summer) water appears in the channel here, as if by magic .It is an incredible feat of engineering. The races are virtually flat, having a drop of only a few feet to the mile. No pumps are used – only the force of gravity allows water to flow gently downhill along the races. To achieve the very gradual slope and controlled flow required, the water races were constructed to wind around the sides of hills, following the contours. Where a steeper section was necessary, the race was lined and reinforced with stonework.’ (From Eureka Reef Heritage Walk Notes, Parks Victoria).

Stopping for morning tea at an interesting looking adit burrowing into the hillside which we decided not to explore. A large, old iron bucket caught our interest, probably the top of a bailing tank which was lowered down the shaft to scoop out water from the mine (from Gordons notes). The next part of the walk was uphill to the top of the Monk, the highest point of the diggings and were rewarded by views in all directions from Mount Alexander, Mount Tarrengower and around to the south.

Retracing our steps down from The Monk  we entered an area of extensive mining which must have changed the landscape enormously as evidence of sluicing drove deep scars through the area, and numerous shafts and smaller water races could be seen as well as remains of mining buildings. We stopped for lunch near an enormous, very deep pit, fortunately well fenced off, but we were careful in wandering around the area, alert for other unfenced shafts.

Although the mining had significantly changed the landscape, the area is said to be regenerating and walking through the box-iron bark forest was lovely, with early wattle coming into flower.  Everlasting daisies finishing their flowering, sightings of a flame robin and the sounds of black cockatoos helped to make this a most enjoyable walk and a fascinating glimpse into the gold mining history.

Thank you Gordon for leading another fascinating walk.

Photos by Andrew














   WE PAID A VISIT TO THE MONK (WHERE'S WALLY)


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