Australia Springs Area Vic

We spent a lovely couple of days exploring the Gold Fields and Spring areas in central Victoria. Stopping in Kyneton, Castlemaine, Hepburn Springs, Daylesford, Clunes and Creswick. We have such a beautiful and varied state.

View of Melbourne

We stopped for our traditional breakfast pie in Kyneton, followed by a walk around. We admired some of the Bluestone buildings.
Memorial to the Australian Lighthorse.

A little further along the road near Castlemaine we came across this display.

Castlemaine is quite a large town with rich history reflected in its grand public buildings which we have previously visited. We did stretch our legs and had a walk around again and chatted to a local about his work at the foundries, before we made our way to Billmans Foundry (our reason for this trip) to pick up our new camp oven.

We did a walk at Voughan Springs.

Next we enjoyed a walk in the Hepburn Regional Park.

We then settled in at the Peppers Resort.

Before our gastronomic dinner experience, we strolled around the Hepurn Springs park which is in the middle of Australia's largest concentration of mineral springs, which are full of health-giving minerals. You can taste the different mineral formulations at old-fashioned pumps and pipes. A bit too strong in taste and smell for us.

The next morning we strolled around Daylesford and the lake. The town had been built from the Gold found in the area. Now it relies on tourism from the springs.  

  

We then set out to Anderson's Mill in Smeaton built over 100 years ago and still stands as a powerful reminder of an industry that flourished after the gold rush of the 1850's.The five-storey bluestone building has a magnificent iron water wheel still in place along with the outbuildings such as the stables, grain store and bluestone office.

In 

Clunes we relived the discovery of gold in the area in 1851, which signaled the beginning of the gold rush in Victoria. In its heyday it was the fifth largest town in the colony. As we walked around we discovered the notable historic architecture. Some of the buildings are now home to a second hand bookshops. In early May the town transforms itself and 1000,s come to the Back to Booktown festival. The town is one of only 15 internationally recognised Booktowns in the world.

Our last stop before heading home was to the Creswick Woollen Mills. We were able to walk through the mill factory and learn about the award-winning Australian family business and the last coloured woollen spinning mill that is unfortunately no longer working. Creswick specialises in luxurious, high quality, natural, sustainable fibres including alpaca, cashmere, merino wool and possum apparel, accessories and homewares.

A bit more country views before home...

Australia Corowa

In early January we booked to see Cold Chisel at All Saints Estate winery near Corowa NSW with some friends. We decided to take the caravan and stay at Ball Park camp ground on the banks of the Murray River. Unfortunately the beginning of 2020 was marked with extensive bush fires in Victoria and NSW. It was no surprise that the drive up North was through thick smoke.

The one lane bridge at the border.

Wood carving outside the Corowa Footy Ground.

We settled in to the mostly deserted caravan park and enjoyed a drink...(note the name "Old Fart")

We explored the town and we're particularly impressed with the distillery.

We drove back into Victoria and admired the lovely buildings of Rutherglen. Also well known for its wineries.

We visited a small gold battery shed.

Due to the smoke the concert was cancelled but we still went to visit All Saints Estate.

These used to be the living quarters for the Chinese workers on the Estate.

We went for a drive to Byramine Brewery, west of Yarrawonga.

Mark and I shared the Ploughmans Platter and a couple of local brews.

On our way back we had a look at one of the many popular silo art in Tungamah.

We stopped to have a walk along banks of Lake Mulwala.

The old Toll Station.

We enjoyed a refreshing dip in the Murray before heading to the local RSL Club for dinner.