U3A Ballarat Hikers

 U3A Hike No. 199 Hike Report by Joan The Expedition Eight set off on a cold frosty but clear morning to discover the relics of both the gold mining and the slate quarry eras in the bushland  between Chewton and Castlemaine.  The impressive Garfield Waterwheel  was the first relic we noticed as soon as we emerged from the parking area.   These massive stone remains of the water wheel supports were used by the Garfield Company Mine from 1887 to 1903 to power the stamping battery which was essential in crushing the quartz in order to extract the gold.  As we ventured away from the waterwheel the track took us on a challenging wet and slippery ridge that ran along the deep water channels emanating from the Expedition Pass Reservoir which supplied the water to the large wheel.  (an impressive recreation video of the wheel can be viewed in the link to Historical Notes) In addition to the water channels we also came across a couple of fenced ...

 U3A Hike No. 198 Hike Report by Jan With the weather forecast looking a bit ominous 7 hikers set off from the Linton Recreation Reserve wearing raincoats and with an eye on the sky. But as is usual on our hikes the day was dry and just the right temperature for a wander in the countryside. About 100 m along the path we stopped at the toilets at what had been the Linton station. Someone who shall remain nameless couldn’t get the door to unlock and was worried that they’d have to climb out of the window. Without further mishaps we set off along the rail trail which was pretty and passed through cuttings and embankments and was shaded by tall eucalypts. After about a kilometre we crossed a bridge and then stopped further along after leaving the track to have a look at a dam. There was a wooden structure with huge wooden uprights which we decided was probably where water was pumped from the dam and then up into a wooden trough and fed into a water race which snaked through the bushlan...

 U3A Hike No. 197 Hike Report by Mark H Iron mine, goldmines, even a Chalkmine Road! The 11 U3A Hikers who attended will need to wait for another day to see if there really is a chalkmine but we certainly saw the remains of the Iron Mine and many goldmines.    On a cold cloudy morning we parked along Andersons Road and started the walk northwards eventually along Chalkmine Road.   Soon we reached the Shepherd Daughter’s Grave. Buried here is six year old Mary Patterson. The grave is in remarkably good condition considering it dates back to July 1867 (or possibly 1863 or 1869 according to recent research). Local residents help maintain the grave. Mary probably died of pneumonia in cold wet conditions and the river prevented a doctor attending in time to help. It gives an insight into the hardships of life in those times.   Onwards north the hike reached the Lal Lal Reservoir with the Bungal Dam holding back (we hope!) the Moorabool River. Restrooms here provide...