O'Shannassy Aqueduct Trail - Sussex St Sector

These pix were taken on July 20 2012, on a 4 km return hike on the Sussex St section of the O'Shannassy Aqueduct Trail, 70 km east of Melbourne, at Warburton.

The Sussex St entry point is reached by following Surrey Rd from near the Mayer Bridge over the Yarra, which links the Warburton Highway with Damman's Rd.

This Section of the Trail is of historical interest, passing concrete bridges once used for timber tramways for Horden's Sawmill (1932-1937, Richard's Sawmill (1907-1913)and Parbury's/Anderson's Brookfield Sawmill (1901 to 1928).

The trail also crosses the Ythan Creek.

Just off the trail is a short walking track to the Ythan Creek, to a weir, and the adjacent Warburton Reservoir.

Further to the east, the Trail crosses the Mt Victoria Walking Track.

A fire/comms tower is located next to reservoir, adjacent to Sussex St.

Past the Mt Victoria Walking Track another logging tramway bridge is encountered - this was for Richard's Mill, (1907 to 1913) which was located about 1 km north of the Aqueduct. The tramway started at the former Richard's Bridge on the Yarra, which was replaced many years later by the present day Brisbane Bridge.

The legacy of Richard remains as Richard's Rd, which runs off Brisbane Hill Rd.

The Aqueduct was built between 1911 and 1914, and the open channel sections were heightened in 1925/1926. It was decommissioned in 1997. The Maintenance Track is now a 27 km shared trail.

Seer the complete set of Photos of my visit!