364. Wolfes-Bush Inn-Goldfields Track

U3A Hike No 364






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 Goldfields track, climbing up onto the ridge line before descending to walk
besides Slatey Creek with overhanging vegetation and moss-covered boulders. 

Much of the second half of our hike necessitated single file as we walked on top of water races, descended some quite slippery rocky areas and climbed up some hills negotiating puddles but nothing more. 

Warning to bring spare footwear and prepare for water crossings turned out to be unnecessary as the
anticipated river crossing were dry.

Kim demonstrated a very theatrical downward standing sliding move on the mud as he took a very muddy detour by mistake. Apparently Tina had succumbed to
the same muddy sliding move there but on her back on a previous walk. 

Fortunately, the map we were following avoided that section so we regrouped, climbed yet another hill to the road which was edged by multiple mining tunnels resembling a maze of rabbit warrens. 

The final section of the walk passed Chapel Flat, once home to a Wesleyan chapel through beautiful forest to rejoin the vehicles  at Wolfes Road where we had lunch in a clearing while the rain held off.\

As always it was a great day spent chatting as we walked surrounded by bush, grateful to have
Creswick Forest on our doorstep Thanks to Kim who organised today and Gordon who assisted Kim
and served as the whip yet again.


Photos By Alan Evans















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