Fourth Hill circuit hike, Warrandyte SP

Victory Mine entrance

Summit of Fourth Hill

"Coral"' tree fungi

"Gold" tree fungi

These pictures were taken on Saturday afternoon July 24, 2010, in the Warrandyte State Park, 20 km east of central Melbourne, on a 4 km circuit hike in the Whipstick Gully historical goldmining precinct.

From the car park at the restored poppet head at the end of Whipstick Gully Rd, I ascended the Bruce Bence Track, then on to Waterman Track, to the summit of Fourth Hill, then down Whipstick Gully Track to the car park.

Some beautiful winter fungi had appeared, unlike any I had ever seen before!

Sadly, no nuggets!

The summit of Fourth Hill was the site of the Warrandyte Water Trust Dam, from 1961 to 1972, and the Fire Tower. There is little evidence remaining of the Dam or Tower.

In the peak of the mining era, 1859 to 1923, the summit was cleared of trees, and was ravaged by bushfires on many occasions.

The poppet head at the car park is a rebuilt structure, based on the original head which stood near the entrance to the Victory Mine a short distance away. Public access to the mine is not permitted. There were rich returns from this mine in 1883, until its closure in 1923.

See all of the Photos of my visit!