Distance: 14.2 Km | Duration: 5 Hrs | Grade: Grade 3 | Rating: | Style: Circuit | Map
About the Walk
Overview
The walk traverses typical goldfields bushland with varied topography passing a number of interesting historical features. these include the Blowhole, gold diggings, aqueduct/water race and the home of Australian cricket bat willow.
The Walk in Detail
Start the walk at the Blowhole car parking area (Grid Reference (GR) 446669) and follow the marked Great Dividing Trail which descends to Sailors Creek. Crosss the creek taking care during or after heavy rain. After crossing the creek, climb to a junction of four tracks (GR 439671). Take theright-hand vehicle track heading north the north-east and from GR 446680 in a northerly direction. After 2.9km (GR 439671), turn west for 150m to join Wayman Road. Turn right (north) and follow it to the junction with Hepburn-Newstead Road. Continue along on the grass verge in a north-westerly directin for 1.4km. Leave the sealed road at the Willow Cafe and follow Shepherds Flat-Weroona Road for 700m before taking a minor track heading south at GR 434709. Continue in a southerly direction off-track along a spur for about 1km before meeting a track (GR 431700).
Turn left and follow the track south-east and then south for 1.6km keeping a watchful eye for open mine shafts until joining Basalt Gully Road (GR 429687). Follwo the gravel road for 600m then make a left turn along Boots Gully track with its steady climb for 1.2km in a southerly direction. Turn east-north-east (GR 433673) along a poorly defined track which after 200m becomes more clearaly defined. continue a further 800m to a track junction visited earlier in the walk (GR 439671). Turn right along the track heading sout-east and follow the remains of a former water race, which meanders along a contour in a south-easterly direction. Turn in a north-north-easterly direction to the Blowhole viewing site and then return to the car park.
Getting There
From the base at Hepburn Primary School, turn left into Hepburn-Newstead Road and continue for 700m to eighteenth Street. Turn left and follow this road for 800m and turn right into Blowhole road. Continue for a further 600m to the Blowhole parking area.Walk Precautions
Walking tracks and steps, which are steep in short sections, may be slippery during or after wet weather, There is a stream crossing, which may be up to 10m wide following heavy rain. Some off-track sections are through moderately this scrub. Care must be taken when walking adjacent to Hepburn-Newstead Road. Good walking shoes or boots are required and walking poles may be helpful.