A day in Eldorado, Grade 3, 10km

A day in Eldorado

Grade 3

Distance – 5 -10km

Walk 1

The Dredge – a floating monster
Although the town’s main gold extraction was through open-cut methods, the gold discovered in the river flats wasn’t as easily accessible as gold found further up Reedy Creek.

 In 1936 production of Cock’s large bucket dredge began, mining alluvial gold and tin until 1954.  It was one of the largest dredges in the Southern Hemisphere – a floating monster weighing 2,142 tons and pulling the third most power from the State Electricity Grid after Melbourne and Geelong. In its 18 years of operation the dredge produced 70,664 ounces of gold and 1,383 tons of tin concentrate.

 By the time the dredge was decommissioned it had dredged 30,000,000 cubic metres from the river flats of El Dorado Plain.  It remains a formidable sight and graphically illustrates the extent of the mining operation in and around the town.

You can visit the dredge in its final resting place, located on the outskirts of the town on the El Dorado-Byawatha Road.

Walk 2

Reid’s Walk is a shared path that winds its way through the former alluvial gold mining area, with tailings and settling ponds that Eldorado’s historic gold and tin mining dredge left behind.

The walk is 1.1 kilometres and takes 45 minutes on a Grade 2 formed track.

Beginning in the centre of Eldorado, access the walking track by taking MacKay Street and then parking alongside the signposted walk start in McCoy Street.

The track leads down to Reedy Creek and follows it upstream to a suspension bridge over the creek.

Following the creek you’ll be immersed in nature with abundant wildlife. Stop by one of the sculptured seats and take it all in – the perfect place to snap a photograph or simply take in the serenity. The swing bridge offers views over the creek and into the forests.

Return to town the way you came or via the road

Walk 3

Monument Hill - This rugged outcrop of granite guards the south-east corner of El Dorado, and is home to a monument honoring farrier Edwin Bawden who died of pneumonia after contracting measles whilst serving with the Imperial Bushmen during the Boer War of 1900-1901.

 The original memorial plaque is on the northern face of the Monument, whilst a new brass plaque (supplied by the RSL in 2004) adorns the western face. The upper section of the actual Monument is missing, presumably brought down by a lightning strike.

There is not a structured walking track up to the Monument at present. You should allow about 10 minutes to get to the summit, and about eight minutes to get down again. Scale the rocky slopes to get to the summit.

 Walk 4.

 http://eldorado.org.au/wp-content/uploads/El-Dorado-Historical-Walk-Map.pdf

 Finish off at Firebox Bakery

Firebox bakery and café

Corner of McCoy and Main Street, Eldorado

Entrance – McCoy Street

 Sourdough breads, pastries, organic granola, hot and cold drinks

https://mvb.org.au/index.php/risk-management/event-management#WhatToBring