Muse over the lifestyle and hard work of the town's pioneers and gold
miners as you peruse the waterwheel and log wagon in Pioneer Park before
sauntering along the burbling East Branch of the Ovens River. The dredging
operations altered the natural course of the river.
V - Start at he Museum in Pioneer Park. For a short loop, cross
the small footbridge to Feathertop Lane and return along the Great Alpine
Road. For a longer loop continue along the river to Bon Accord Track
then follow this road to the Great Alpine Road and back to Pioneer Park.
(Easy - 1.4km; 30mins)
Marvel at the Tronoh Dredge Hole and enjoy the waterfall and pine forest.
The Tronoh was one of the world's largeset electric powered mechanical
dredges, larger than the MCG. This dredge hole was created as a turning
area due to a rock bank for the 170 metres long Tronoh. The dredge worked
24 hours a day, 6 days a week between 1946 and 1954. It dredged 156ha
of land on the river flats up to a depth of 40 metres.
As you can see, gold dredging operations in the past were not required
to repair the damage they caused. Pines were planted to reclaim some
of the dredge tailings.
(Click
on map to enlarge) |
(Easy - 3km;1 hour return)
Experience th esights, sounds and aromas of the eucalypt forest and
river. The walking track heads off from Charlie Miley Road (named after
a world champion axeman from Harrietville) in Clarrie Keating Memorial
Park. Note the scenically located football oval.
W - The walking track starts at the end of Charlie Miley Road,
and is flanked by ribble from Chinese gold diggings.
Y - When you reach ths small bridge, complete a loop by turnuing
left into Lyrebird Gully and then into Mill Road (once the Town centre),
or return the way you came.
Z - Private property ( do not cross the bridge).
