Walk to strike gold mining history

IF you’ve got an interest in the history of Ballarat’s alluvial gold mine diggings, and enjoy a walk in the bush, why not combine the two this weekend?

On Sunday, 22 May at 10am, Friends of Canadian Corridor are running their guided 5.5-kilometre heritage walk of the water races and sluice fields of Woowookarung Regional Park and surrounds.

The Sparrow Ground sluice fields, retention basin and water races, Pax Hill sluice field, channel and water races, and Sawpit Gully sluice field, water races and dam network operated in the 1860s and 1870s, and can still be clearly seen today.

FOCC treasurer Peter Darveniza is one of the tour guides who will lead walkers around what’s left of a total alluvial gold mining system.

“Except for erosion, the water races which were used to get gold are as they were when the miners walked away in the 1870s,” he said.

“Those who come along will get an appreciation of our early European history in Ballarat, they’ll get an appreciation of, and another dimension to Woowookarung, and enjoy an open-air experience.”

The walk will cover some challenging, “undulating” terrain including roads, trails, and off-track bushland, crossing gullies and creeks, and hiking up some hills.

Those attending need to be fit, wear solid walking shoes, dress in case of rain and wind, and bring some drinking water. There are no restrooms along the tour.

The heritage water race guided walk begins and concludes at the rotunda at Sparrow Ground Reserve, Spencer Street, Canadian. It will take about two hours. Bookings are appreciated via [email protected].