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.

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Ascent of Fourth Hill, Warrandyte State Park

On Saturday January 23 2009 I went over to the Warrandyte State Park, 20 km from the Melbourne CBD.

My objective was to climb Fourth Hill, looking for gold nuggets in the former mining area.

Sadly, no nuggets were found!

My 4 kn hike started at the car park on the Gold Memorial Rd. From there, over the creek crossing, up Wildcat Gully Track, passing the entrance to the tunnel leading to the old Geraghty's Mine, then up to the summit of Fourth Hill.

A reservoir and fire lookout tower once existed on the Summit, long gone.

Then, along Betton Track, the Gold Heritage Trail, and descending past old mines and back to the car park.

There are some interesting views from the summit.

The trail descends steeply in places and care is needed.

Interpretative signs along the Trail describe the early gold-digging activities of the 1850s.

Strange creatures inhabit the bush near the summit - a Bunyip came out on the track!

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Exploring the Warrandyte Gold Mines at FourthHill

On October 24, 2008, I visited the old gold diggings area in the Warrandyte State Park, 20 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

The area has a rich gold history. It is thought that it is the site of the first Gold Rush in Victoria, 1851, and remnants remain at Fourth Hill.

Fourth Hill is the highest peak, overlooking the settlement of Warrandyte, and has many walking tracks, well signposted.

My 4 km circuit hike started at the junction of Gold Memorial Rd and Anderson's Creek, then up Gold Heritage Track, to the summit of Fourth Hill, then back to the start, passing several old mines, now fenced off.

Interpretative boards and maps along the Track provide interesting information about the history of the Fourth Hill mines.

There were some nice views towards the Dandenong Ranges from the high point near Fourth Hill summit.

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