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Travel by train or car to Castlemaine, and enjoy a day walk in the historic Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park and your BYO picnic lunch. We will also invite members of 'The Alluvians', Castlemaine's gay men's social group to join the walk.
GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Medium walking - approximately 10 km circuit walk on paths that are at times rocky and steep (graded according to the Leaders Guide - Appendix A: Activity Grading Guidelines).
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Meeting at 10:31am outside the Midland Hotel (2 Templeton Street, cnr Templeton & Kennedy Streets) just opposite the Castlemaine Station car park. If you are travelling to Castlemaine by train, PLEASE tick the 'public transport' option when you register.
We introduce ourselves and then car-share with those who have driven from Melbourne or are Castlemaine locals. If there are insufficient cars, then a taxi mini bus will be pre-booked (small extra shared cost). There are NO lunch shops near the railway station, so you will need to bring your lunch, snacks and water with you.
It is about a 15-minute drive to the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park. We leave our cars, admire the ruins of the massive 1887 Garfield Water Wheel, and learn from the information boards the scale of development that was once there.
We commence the walk uphill through the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park and past the remains of many mines, some surprisingly deep. We are heading for the stone-hut ruins of the Welsh Village, and here we will take a break to inspect the remains of a once-thriving community. Continuing to gain height, we reach our highest point, the banks of the Expedition Pass Reservoir, the source of water for the waterwheel, and locally known as ‘The Rez’, named after it was noted on Major Mitchell's 'Australia Felix' expedition. We will stop for lunch at a suitable spot along the way.
The walk is easier now, returning downhill on the easy Forest Creek Track, and at Chinamans Point Road taking the track back to the Garfield Water Wheel.
We leave the Garfield Water Wheel by about 4pm, and we travel back to the Castlemaine Station where some will board the 4.49pm train to arrive at Southern Cross at 6.24pm, and others drive home.
BOOKING: By Monday 2nd December, and indicate if you are driving to Castlemaine Station or travelling by train (public transport). To register click on Get Tickets.
Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
MEETING TIME | LOCATION: Meeting outside the Midland Hotel, 2 Templeton Street; cnr Templeton and Kennedy Streets) just opposite the Castlemaine Railway Station at 10:31am. NOTE: You need to bring lunch, snacks and water with you to this meeting point as there are no food shops near the station and we will not be stopping to buy food or drink during our short drive from the station to Garfield Water Wheel.
MAP REFERENCE: Melway map X909 grid C6 | Google map maps.app.goo.gl/93kAUPqBE8NUKt4r6.
DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: Castlemaine is about 130 km, approximately 1 hour 30 minutes by train or 1 hour 30 minutes to drive via the Calder Highway, exiting at the marked B180 turnoff to Castlemaine. .
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: There is a regular ~ hourly train service from Southern Cross Station to Castlemaine (the Bendigo line) that takes about 1 1/2hr.
To join the walk you should depart Southern Cross Station on the 9:05am Bendigo line train, alighting at Castlemaine about 10:31am. The return train departs Castlemaine at 4:49pm and arrives Southern Cross 6:24pm. There is no need to book a seat, and payment is via Myki card. Capped fares apply on weekends and public holidays if using Myki Money - $7:20 Full or $3.60 Concession/Seniors. If you are travelling by train, please select the 'Public Transport' option when you register.
FOOD: Bring picnic lunch and we suggest you carry snacks and at least 1 litre of water. Note: we will not be stopping in Castlemaine township to buy food or drink.
APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes, jacket, hat and dress according to the Castlemaine (not Melbourne) weather forecast.
Average daily temperatures for Castlemaine in early December range from 11 - 26 degrees C, but it may be hotter. Therefore you should consult the Castlemaine weather forecast (not Melbourne) a day or two before the event and wear weather-appropriate clothing and footwear for walking.
LEADER: Ian G. | Email LeaderIanG@nomads.org.au if you have any questions.
Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.
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