330. Goldfields (Leanganook) Track - Mandurang South to Bendigo 16km

 U3A Hike No 330




Hike Report By Sharon Moss


Nine enthusiastic hikers set out on Day Four for the final leg of our trek . 

We set off briskly following in the footsteps of Mark, our leader for the day, although there may not have been quite the same spring in our step as on Day One! 

We picked up where we left off the day before, following the Coliban main channel for the first 3rd of our 16k walk.

There is no history of mining along this area of the channel & no known mining relics. Native bush carpeted with everlasting yellow daisies & yellow dogwood(?) made this part of the walk very pleasant .  

We eventually reached Sandhurst reservoir where we left the main Coliban channel.  Gordon was very relieved that we all managed to not fall into the rapidly flowing channel  water!  Although at one point, there were workmen cleaning out the filters in the channel, including a dead kangaroo . 

The final two thirds of the walk passed  through areas that were heavily mined in the 1800s. Many mining relics were evident as well as fenced, deep shafts. 

We enjoyed a welcome rest & lunch break at Diamond Hill, before setting off on the final leg into Bendigo. 

We had been on the lookout for snakes throughout the 4 days & hadn’t seen any until the last stretch when a large unidentified snake slithered across the track & a smaller version was also spotted!

A pleasant walk through suburbia along a bush track to the golf club concluded our walk . 

Many thanks to Gordon for organising a terrific walk & to everyone involved as leaders, whips or car shufflers!


Congratulations to those who have now completed the entire 210 kilometres of the Goldfields Track from Mt Buninyong to Bendigo! 


Photos by Andrew Parker






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