Daylesford to Castlemaine  - The Golden Way. 

Description:   The trek winds its way from Daylesford to Castlemaine on  forest roads and tracks through heritage rich goldfields.   Leaving Daylesford we travel on tracks  through the Hepburn Regional Park stopping in at the historic Blowhole. Continuing on we briefly stop at the  Swiss-Italian 19th century Lavandula Farm and at Cricket Willow, which are both worth visiting and staying for some time on another occasion.  We then  travel  through the Dry Diggings State Forest on forest roads  before visiting the village of Yandoit. Crossing the Midland Highway, we then travel on forest roads and tracks through the Upper Loddon State Forest to Vaughan Mineral Springs, stopping  for a cleansing mineral water. We then trek through the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park where we will visit the ruins of the largest water wheel in the world, being the Garfield Waterwheel and given time, will walk the Eureka Reef Walk. The Castlemaine Diggings was once  the worlds richest shallow alluvial goldfield with the landscape we will travel through being reflective of this history.

The trip is on a Saturday which will allow those that may wish to stay overnight in the heritage towns of Castlemaine or nearby Maldon to  further explore the historic goldfield heritage of the area or perhaps a ride on the Goldfields steam rail between Castlemaine and Maldon.

Daylesford is approached either along the Western Highway via Ballan or the Calder Highway via Woodend. The distance from Melbourne either way is approximately 115 km. 

Weather:  This is Victoria, so anything is possible, potentially cold and wet. Bring appropriate clothing and footwear. 

Equipment:  Vehicles need to have low range 4WD capability with good all-terrain tyres and  UHF radio equipped ( or one borrowed from the club). Usual recovery gear should be carried.  

Trip Standard:  Easy to medium

Fuel:  Full tank ex Daylesford

Distance: Approximately 80km

Duration: 1 day

Convoy limit: 12 vehicles  

Meeting Arrangements:  09:00 at the Daylesford Information Centre,  just south of the roundabout at the top of the hill  in the main street of Daylesford.

Trip Leaders:  Graeme and Carolyn Allen. Contact Graeme on 0477488434 or graeme.allen86@gmail.com for any queries