396. Mollonghip-Barkstead, Wombat State Forest, 9.5km

 U3A Hike No 396



Hike Report by Annette Currie

🌅 Cool Autumn Start     It was a cool start to the morning—Autumn making its presence known—as fifteen hikers gathered at Kirks before heading for the southern edge of the Wombat Forest. Cars were lined along Slaters Road at Mollongghip, and with packs on, we set off.

🚂 Anderson Tramway Cutting      We hadn’t gone far before reaching our first point of interest: a cutting from the Anderson family tramway. The Anderson brothers, Scottish emigrants of the mid‑1800s, built sawmills throughout the Wombat Forest and constructed tramways to haul logs to their mills—eventually extending the line all the way to Werribee. Much of the tramway was cut directly into the hillsides, and trestle bridges once spanned the gullies.

⚠️ Mineshafts Along the Trail         Further along, the trail revealed a cluster of deep mineshafts. Someone had attempted to tape them off, but the tape now hung broken and tangled in the trees—still enough of a warning for anyone wandering through.

🏡 Barkstead & the Anderson Sawmill Site Leaving the Goldfields Track, we followed the road into the tiny hamlet of Barkstead. Here we visited the site of one of the Anderson sawmills. No structures remain, but the ground is still blanketed in sawdust—likely metres deep and more than a century old. It made a fitting spot for morning tea.

💧 Mullens Dam & Drizzly Weather   We continued on, winding our way to Mullens Dam Track and eventually reaching Mullens Dam itself. A fine drizzle set in, prompting the appearance of raincoats (and one umbrella!). The track then led us through beautiful bushland beneath towering gums. As the drizzle eased, coats were stowed away again.

🚗 Return to the Cars & Lunch Back at the cars, half the group headed home while the rest unfolded chairs for lunch and a chat. Naturally, the weather responded with a sudden heavy shower—coats out again—though thankfully it passed quickly. Once lunch and conversation were done, we too made our way home.

🌲 A Personal Connection  This walk held special meaning for me. I am a direct descendant of James Anderson, one of the original Anderson brothers who first arrived in Australia. He was my great‑great‑grandfather. To walk through the very bush where he worked, built tramways, and ran sawmills was genuinely moving. (After their sawmilling years, the Anderson family went on to establish the historic Andersons Flour Mill at Smeaton, now owned by the National Trust.)

🙏 Thanks to the Team  Many thanks to Mark for leading, Gordon for whipping, and Andrew for the history lesson—and the podcast.

Photos From the Archives




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