363. Wolfes-Bush Inn-Goldfields Track

U3A Hike No 363 Hike Report By Deb Karmouche 12 Hikers rallied on a bleak, cold morning for a walk in the Creswick State Forest. Roads were a bit muddy as we travelled to our starting point at Wolfes Road. John Wolfe apparently developed the Slatey Creek Hydraulic Sluicing Company and there is evidence of water sluicing throughout the hike. In 1868 there was a reported 3,916 km of water races in the area and indeed evidence of extensive mining activity in the area was a highlight of the 14km hike. We started out on a bush road, hilly, and with deep gullies. On either side of this track were 2-to-3- metre cliffs which were a consequence of mining activity when they excavated the surface in order to find and extract gold. Rain fell softly at one stage but by the time we put our waterproof layers on it had stopped and the day remailed dry. Morning tea was at Slatey Creek Camp ground No 1 in the rotunda which was very civilized and from there we joined the Goldf...