Strathbogie State Forest FS0060 DELWP – Mansfield ISSN 1440-2262

January 2015 Strathbogie State Forest FS0060 DELWP – Mansfield ISSN 1440-2262

The rugged landscape of the Strathbogie State History of forestry Forest offers a variety of recreational The forests of the Strathbogies have been a significant opportunities including bushwalking, horse source of quality messmate, blue gum and other riding, trail bike riding and 4WDriving. It has an millable timbers since the late 1800’s when timber started to be used locally in commercial quantities for interesting heritage associated with the mining of mining, construction and railway building ventures. gold, particularly alluvial mining and early Over the years, several mills established within the Chinese settlement. Walking amongst the giant forest to supply the demand for timber. Selective boulders at Lima East, taking in the view from harvesting still occurs in the forest, supplying mills within Rocky Ned and camping under the stars at James the region. Reserve are highlights of a visit to this area. Places to visit Geology The boulder formations and rocky outcrops seen in the Take care when exploring these areas as mine shafts Strathbogie Ranges are the result of geological processes and adits can be obscured by vegetation. that began between 300 and 400 million years ago. After the sea withdrew during the Devonian period, there was a large scale crustal collapse which resulted in two volcanic Wild Dog Rocks cauldrons. Eruptions built up large layers of volcanics and This large and impressive rock outcrop is well worth the emplacement of granitic rock which has been eroded to exploring. Access is along a short 4WD track off the present day to form the Strathbogie Ranges. Ferraris Road. Picnic facilities are provided.

History of mining Ruoaks Gold was first found at Hells Hole Creek in 1851. This was Located on North Creek, the campsite sits amongst the shortly after gold had been discovered in Victoria for the tall gums in the southern part of the forest surrounded first time. by remarkable boulder formations. Whilst enjoying your During the gold rush in 1860, alluvial mining occurred in the stay, explore the lower rocky reaches of the picturesque bed and banks of Hells Hole Creek as well as Glen, Dry, North Creek. Tallangallook and Brankeet Creeks. The rush lasted only for a short time with the area all but deserted by the end of Tallangallook – Dry Creek Historic Area 1861, many of the miners headed for Jamieson. The main goldfields along Hells Hole and Tallangallook The Dry Creek Sluicing Company was set up in 1860. This Creeks are within the Historic Area. The Tallangallook company was instrumental in providing the water required Mine Picnic Area is a good base for exploring. You may for alluvial mining in this area. discover old batteries and evidence of the alluvial In the late 1860’s and early 1870’s, sluicers returned to the mining in the form of heaps, shafts and chasms – area. At its peak, production of alluvial gold was reportedly please take care. around 6,000 – 7,000 oz per annum. Dry Creek was thriving during the early 1870’s, and had a Hells Hole store, school, post office, hotels, gambling houses, soap This sluice hole lies at the head of Hells Hole Creek, factory, bakery and a population of mostly Chinese miners. part of the Dry Creek Goldfield. It’s existance was first Gold production diminished towards the turn of the century documented in 1912. Picnic facilities and information and only small operations continued. Hydraulic sluicing and signs make this a pleasant roadside lunch stop. bucket dredging continued on the lower Dry, Tallangallook and Glen Creeks until the 1930’s. Lima East Quartz crystal has also been mined in the Strathbogies and Situated on the Moonee Moonee Creek, this pretty site two crystal mines are still operational within the forest. The provides an excellent location for a picnic (no camping). crystal is used for piezo-electric applications including radio A short but steep walking track rewards walkers with transmitters. The largest hand cut crystal in the world, the spectacular granite boulder formations. 1.7kg ‘Crystal King’ was mined in the Strathbogies. Visitors are not permitted at or around the crystal mines.

James Reserve It is your responsibility to know if a Total Fire James Reserve is a large, scenic camping site on the Ban is declared. If in doubt, do not light a banks of Moonee Moonee Creek. Access to this popular campfire. destination is via Lima East Road. • Be responsible for your own safety. Be aware of extreme weather events, carry your own first aid kit Walking Tracks and let someone know before you go. • Forest roads are public roads and normal road rules Rocky Ned Walking Track apply. Drive as if you were expecting a vehicle to come around the next bend. Rocky Ned Walk is accessed via Police Track or Goodes Track. The walking track starts on the boundary of the pine plantation and the state forest. It is a short pleasant walk through open woodland with fantastic views provided from General Information the rocky ledge at the top.

Return 1.7 km l 1 hour • Pit toilets are common at State forest sites but hand Gentle hills l Formed track, some obstacles washing facilities and toilet paper may not be Signposted I Occasional steps supplied. Come prepared. No experience required • Be careful camping under trees – they can drop their limbs (particularly during high winds). Lima Falls Walking Track • Camps should be at least 20 metres from any water Access to the walking track is through the pine plantation, course. Do not wash in creeks. follow the road signs. A short, steep but pleasant walk from • the carpark takes you to the Lima Falls, a small, pretty There is no rubbish collection service, so please take waterfall on White Gum Gully Creek. your rubbish home. • Dogs are allowed in State forest but must be under Return 1.2 km l 1 hour direct control at all times and are expected to be on Short steep hills l Formed track, some obstacles a leash in picnic and camping areas or when near Signposted I Occasional steps other visitors No experience required • Motor vehicles including motorcycles must not be driven off formed roads or on walking tracks. All Safety – Please read vehicles must be registered and drivers licensed • This area is dotted with many mine shafts. Exercise care while walking through the bush and keep dogs • On Code Red Fire Danger Rating days, parks and State on a leash forest are closed to the public. Do not enter parks or • forests on Code Red Days. If you are already there Do not remove timber from standing trees. when a Code Red day is announced, you should leave • Do not disturb or remove historic relics. the night before or early in the morning. For more information contact DELWP (see below). • Campfire safety – Use fireplaces where provided. The For more information fire must be attended at all times by a person with the The Department of Environment, Land, Water & capacity and means to extinguish it. For solid fuel fires, Planning (DELWP) is responsible for managing the ground and airspace within 3m of the outer Victoria's State Forest. For further information contact perimeter of the fire must be clear of flammable DELWP's Customer Service Centre 136 186 (TTY: material. Ensure the fire is extinguished with water 1800 555 667) or visit DELWP's website at before leaving. If it’s cool to touch it is safe to leave. http://www.delwp.vic.gov.au • Campfires are prohibited on days of Total Fire Ban. Only gas or electric appliances that have been designed and commercially manufactured exclusively for cooking may be used for meal preparation on a Total Fire Ban This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria Day provided: and its officers do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and - the ground and airspace within 3m of the appliance therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence is clear of flammable material which may arise from you relying on any information in this - a minimum of 10 litres of water is on hand publication. - it is in a stable postion when in use

LANE MIDLAND

ROAD

TRACK ROAD BORSCHMANN

Riding or driving on roads located within Strathbogie softwood plantations is not These are privately managed permitted. access these roads please To roads. Plantation on contact Hancocks Victoria (03) 5761 2400

GANDINI EAST Creek East Lima

LANE Creek

LIMA ROAD

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To Benalla SWANPOOL LIMA ROAD

Jones Hill Creek PERIMETER

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TRACK ROAD LIMA Little Victoria

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Sugarloaf Sugarloaf

Ck RANGE ROAD i POLICE POLICE Hoskin Hill

Lookout

Rocky Ned

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Pitty Hill Parkes

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Alexandra CREEK Barbecue-Wood Camping Carpark Historic site Horse yards Information shelter Lookout Picnic table Violet Town Violet Highway Sealed road Unsealed road track (4WD) Vehicle track Walking Forest State Parks and Reserves Softwood Plantation (private) Other public land body Water Recreational Facilities

TE FOREST MAROONDAH

ATE FOREST ATE

HUME STRATHBOGIE STRATHBOGIE WY STA ST F M m d f g i o

Strathbogie State Forest

To Euroa

Strathbogie State Forest ALLEY

N N 40 N 35 N 30 N 25

000m 59 000m 59 000m 59 000m 59 Creek Junction Lima Falls RS af T 59 f Horse yards NE CREEK ANKE m 4 River CREEK SugarloafSugarlo g Information shelter Kithbrook JUNCTION ROAD Rocky Ned MOO Lookout i Lookout White m 4 James Reserve To SEVEN CREEKS Too-rour TK Leerson i CREEK NATURE Euroa Picnic table McCOMBE POLICE Mfo BORSCHMANN o CONSERVATION ROAD Hill TOOROUR REFERENCE ROAD ROAD RESERVE 2 Toilets Creeks DOON Creek AREA g2 LIMA SOUTH EDUCATION AREA Lima SPRING 4 Walking track FOSTERS LANE Mount Lima East South Barranhet ROAD Ned NILLAHCOOTIE Fo TRACK Mount 0 1 2 BALD HILL Creek TRACK TK Bald Hill BUSHLAND TK

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59 CHINAMAN TK SANDY Creek

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ROAD ROAD JONES TK ANKERS MOUNT MOONEE TAMES ROAD STANS SAMARIA MELBOURNE Creek STATE PARK Creek POLLY

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DUTCHMANSTK Moonee Strathbogie KANGAROO Sandy Creek CREEK N South FERRARIS ROAD TK HARPERS ROAD 000m STRATHBOGIE STATE FOREST NO3 TK LAKE

15 RUOAKS GERARS TRACK Tallangalook Road PARLOURS NILLAHCOOTIE 59 LINK Picnic Area CREEK TK GOLDSWORTHYS HARPERS TK MIDLAND Gerars TK Fo NO4 TK ROAD ROAD Creek DRY JUKES ROAD Mount View Ruoaks GOLDEN HARPERS SKINNERS

OLD STRATHBOGIE CREEK Camping Area RANGES MT TK NO1 TK Hells Hole TK FMo Mount ROAD

ROAD North Strathbogie do JOHNSTONS RD RUOAKS CLEAR STRATHBOGIE STRATHBOGIE Creek Tallangallook CREEK TK CREEK HOWES Barjarg FERRARIS TALLANGALOOKVinegar Creek TK Creek Hill CREEK Dry TALLANGALLOOK- BLACK CREEK Wild Dog HAYFIELD N Creek DRY CREEK NO2 TK Rocks RD TH

HISTORIC AREA Clear O’BRIENS ROAD 000m Dry SHORTS Tallangalook EUROA ROAD FERRARIS RD 10 ROAD ROAD Mine Area

59 Brankeet Fdo GLEN CREEK Creek REFERENCE

Creek HIGHWAY ROAD AREA ANCONA GLEN MERTON ROAD Creek

CREEK LINK HWY CREEK RD

Merton MERTON Tallangallook Glen To Ancona HELLS HOLE To NORTH Bonnie Doon Mansfield MIDLAND

N HIGHWAY 395000mE 400000mE 405000mE 410000mE

000m This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its officers do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is 05

59 wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you s To relying on any information in this publication.

MAROONDAH Bonnie Doon

MERTON GAP