Mt Hotham Track Notes

COBUNGRA DITCH WALK The Cobungra Ditch Walking Track The Cobungra Ditch Walking Track follows the course The total distance of the track is 12.5km one way. The of an abandoned water race, a ruin from the gold min- track is well graded following the contour of the hill with ing era of the district. Literally carved through the steep a gradual fall towards the Brandy Creek mine. The path mountain ranges and retained for much of its length by is well formed with some obstacles and short sections an impressive dry-stone wall, this engineering wonder with steps. Some bushwalking experience is recom- once conveyed a stream of water 10.5km to the hydraulic mended. Four hours should be allowed for a one-way sluicing operations of the Cobungra Gold Mining Com- walk along its length (a vehicle left at the opposite end pany (GMCo.). The water race commences its course would be ideal). Brandy Creek from the head of Swindler’sThe Cobungra Creek, an upper Ditch tributary of The walk is accessible at both ends from the Great Alpine Mine View the Cobungra River, and terminates at the Brandy Creek Road. The northern end of the walk is reached on foot Tranquil waters to Walking Track furious torrent mine towards Dinner Plain. 1.4km along the Davenport Access Track. The southern From this point a view of the cliffs of the Brandy Creek mine can be seen across end of the walk is reached on foot 500 metres along the the Murphy’s Creek watershed. These cliffs - in places nearly 30 metres high - are the result of the hydraulic sluicing Brandy Creek Fire Track. operations of the Cobungra GMCo, and were blasted by the waters conveyed along this A return circuit could be completed by a more direct ditch. Blasted Rock! The Cobungra Ditch On completing its 12 kilometre journey the walk along the Hotham – Dinner Plain Trail adjacent to final destination for the gently gliding waters of Swindler’s Creek were through the The steep, rugged and rocky terrain Walking Track nozzles of the water cannon; the water, via the Great Alpine Road. This would complete a circuit of of this landscape presented the race gravity, was conveyed in heavy steel pipes, 57cm builders with many challenges - more in diameter, from the water race down to the approximately 18km. cannon, the amount of fall and decreasing size than pick and shovel alone were of the pipe diameter providing the immense water required to carve this industrial pressure. These water cannon were also referred wonder through the wilderness - large to as guns, nozzles, monitors, cannon or giants. quantities of blasting powder and

explosives were needed to fracture sluicing using pressurised Hydraulic Swift) (A the ditch from water the “I am an old sluicer myself, and thought I knew a thing or two, but, to tell the truth, I must admit that the ‘Little Giant’ hard mountain rock. completely knocked the conceit out of me, and with only two thirds of the pressure on that they will be in fullGold swing I saw in it the Alps On the top wall of the race is a remaining throw a solid bar of water seventy feet, boring a hole two feet “There are two hydraulic hoses, 1,300 feet total length, diameter“butt”, 22 or end of a blasting hole. This was in hard cemented wash in the space of two minutes the same ¼ inches and two giant nozzles from 2 ½ to 5 ½ inch aperture.drilled The by hand using a mining ground in which a man would take a week toThe drive five historyor six ofmanner ’s in which the hard cement high is washed country down when full power is rich in gold with feet.” The Alpine Observer, 1st May 1885 is brought to play with the giant nozzle is astonishing. Thetechnique total known as “hammer & tap”. One cost, including races, 7 miles, 1 ½ miles, and 3 miles,man would hold a steel or drill (a forge Although considered an environmentalmuch scar, these cliffsof the Europeanis aboutHistory £11,000.” of thesharpened region length of influenced round steel 19mm - form an important part of the region’s cultural heritage. Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Mining District, Subdivision, December25mm 1885. in diameter) whilst the other man, by this precious metal. The first goldknown asdiscoveries a “striker” would hit inthe end the of the steel with a heavy hammer. At each strike area were made by diggers travellingthe steel over would be giventhe a quarterranges turn and a hole formed. The length of the hole would vary from 300mm to 1200mm in depth and on between the Omeo diggings and Beechworth,completion would be packed Buckland with explosives and fired. and the Upper Ovens fields during the 1850s. Initially rock preparing Construction workers Swift) (A blasting on the ditch for During the 15 months of construction the hills the alpine gold deposits were left inaround preference Swindler’s Creek would to have the frequently resounded with the echoes of explosions as Be Prepared thousands of these holes were fired and this great “Then comes the levelling, and the waterway is shaped. richer pickings of the more habitablerace formed. lower goldfields, The bestThis months means very often for blasting walking a way through the the solid Cobungra rock, Ditch are from and it wasn’t until the early 1860s that a substantial or forming a race by walling.” November through to April, The Alpine Observer, however, 28th March 1884 weather conditions population would return to prospect and mine these can change rapidly, and snowfalls and blizzards can occur high country gold deposits. at any time of the year. (Mt Hotham’s Bushwalking Season is from Alluvial gold (stream deposits) were worked in upper the November Melbourne Cup Weekend to mid May.) branches of the Ovens, Dargo and Cobungra Rivers for Be prepared with: many decades. Miners also worked for many years in • Wind and waterproof jackets Swindler’s Creek, in fact the stream was named after a • Warm clothing – hat, gloves, sunglasses, and party of diggers who tried to ‘swindle’ one of their strong footwear members out of his share of the takings. • Food and water • First aid kit and sunscreen Doing the Walk • Map and compass The Cobungra Ditch Walking Track offers bushwalkers • Check the weather forecast before departing • Let someone know where you are going a unique opportunity to experience some of the high • Mobile phone (reception in some areas) country’s rarely seen significant natural and historic landscapes. Interpretive signs highlighting some of the Caution remarkable history of this feature have been installed The 2003 bushfires have damaged snowgums, which are along the route. Whilst the walk takes you through a now regenerating but dead branches are shedding with range of natural landscapes, from shady and sparsely the new growth. High wind days may result in falling limbs open forest to damp gullies and impressive waterfalls. and branches. It is not recommended to use the track on In late January early February the ditch is alive with a windy days. range of spectacular wild flowers. Quieter walkers may During the warmer months snakes can be found along the also spot local inhabitants such as a grazing wombat or track. See also ‘Mt Hotham Track Notes - Bushwalker Code’ a foraging flame robin. Alpine Resort Management Board Why the Cobungra Ditch? The Cobungra Ditch When the water race was originally constructed in 1883- Walking Track 4 by the Cobungra Gold Mining Company, the workers on the race referred to the feature as the Cobungra Ditch. Upwards of 120 men were employed by the company, Grade of Walk: Grade 3, as per The Australian Walking Track Grading System most on the ditch. The huge work force actually lived Distance: 12.5km one way in a temporary workers camp known as the Cobungra 18km return circuit via Great Alpine Ditch Camp. In November 1883 the company suddenly Road/Hotham- Dinner Plain Trail dismissed the workers on the ditch and in protest they Time: 4 hours one way banded together and held a march along the Alpine Gradient: Mostly level with some gradual road carrying a large calico banner. steep sections on the entry and The following bills were posted on trees around the exit camp and the Mt Hotham area. Quality of Path: Mostly formed track, with some obstacles Steps: Occasional steps Experience required: Some bushwalking experience recommended

For more information on Mt Hotham’s Iconic Tracks & Trails, visit www.mthotham.com.au. For Resort track & trail conditions, email [email protected], or telephone 03 5759 3550 during business hours.

Omeo Telegraph, 29th November 1884 29th November Telegraph, Omeo We hope you enjoy the walk.

Road Runner Chair 1400

Su m Pla mi ygr THE HUTS t C oun WALK ha d ir S w i Golden Point n d Spargo’s l i P Chair e illage r Hut V ’ s RMB Office Walking C & Transit Lounge r Track e e

Corral Carpark Junction k Silver

Brumby 0 0

5 H 1 i g Hut 10.5km g i

D Blue Ribbon Chair Huts Walk r Mt Higginbotham i Junction v K B e k e C 1814m ig e r D A C 0 R 0 E T 6 1 x p G r CFA I N e DI T CH W K s n A L s 1.4km o Footbrid A t ge R r e u l G i g S p e N e B k Davenport Access U h S B T Track O i P 1 C 4 Gate 0 0 The General i Little Christmas Hill Lookout P Mt Higginbotham Store Slatey Cutting 0 1762m 0 3 H 0 Howard’s 1 0 O 7 1 h p y ’ s C r 1300 Davenport T AI N P 5.5km Hut Footbridge M u r e e H P L T R A I Falls k Village A L W M R i - N N E re Cobungra D I P P 0 l Ditch60 & Huts a 1 Cross G in Alpine Walk R Track Head Country E National (Car parking) Shelter A B T Park a B500 l 1 A d 5 y 0 The Cobungra 0 L C P Diggings r 1 THE COBUNGRA DITCH e 4 I 0 1600 e 0 N k MOUNT E ( WALKING TRACK U k p HOTHAM R T p Walking Track e e O r r ALPINE Junction i D MOUNT HOTHAM A F 1 a 3 RESORT D k r 0 C

g 0 ALPINE RESORT y

o 1 d

5 P

0 n R 0 a i 1 r v 40 Whiskey B e 0 r h 500m ) t Flat r 1 3km 1km 2k3 m o 0 0 0 Brandy

N Gate Creek Mine c i 500m

t e S C A L E n P g Cobungra Ditch Ma TOTAL DISTANCES FROM South i Track Head GREAT ALPINE ROAD (Car parking) To 12.5km one way Dinner Plain 18km circuit via Great Alpine Road 5.5km Updated 10th October 2011

Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board