Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve

A small carpark in Tenth St took us onto a short trail through flat grassy areas, past mineral springs, along narrow dirt tracks and up wooden staircases. One of several creek crossings was the long bridge spanning Spring Creek. We saw the first of many colourful fungi, in the form of bright red toadstools growing by the water's edge below.

 The cool Winter morning had added sparkling highlights to the foliage and it was a magical world of colour on the forest floor. 

The path led us to Sulphur Springs - the least sulphuric of all the springs here - where we tasted the fresh flowing water from the pump. It was a little too early in the day to be adding Vodka and Lime, but the soda water was a refreshing thirst quencher as we continued on our walk.

 

We followed the trail as far as Wyuna Springs, saving the 30 minute continuation to Argyle Springs for another day.

 

We headed back the way we came, passing by the century old Edwardian style Hepburn Pavilion, before walking back up the other side of the creek to the car.

What: Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve
Where: Tenth Ave, Hepburn Springs
When: Daily
Why: walks, mineral springs
How Much: FREE to walk around and explore
Nearby: Mt Franklin

Grab a coffee at: Blue Bean Love

The Blowhole, Hepburn Springs

A short walk from the carpark led us to the wooden staircase above The Blowhole. The steep descent was accompanied by the sound of the water gushing below.

The tunnel was made by goldminers in the 1870's, to divert water from Sailor's Creek through the rock, to a dry bed where they could pan for gold in the still waters. The water flows at its heaviest during Winter and Spring.

The track levelled out into an area around the waters edge, where we sat and watched the flow from the opposite side.

A few platforms around the Blowhole allowed us to see the area from different viewpoints.

The short loop of the Blowhole Track is part of the 16km Tipperary Walking Track, which runs from Lake Daylesford to Argyle Springs. The 6 hour trek  meanders through forests, crosses creeks and passes by natural mineral springs along the way.

This short stroll from the carpark was all we could manage. This time. We hope to do the entire track one day. 

 

What: The Blowhole
Where: Midland Hwy, Hepburn Springs
When: Daily
Why: walks
How Much: FREE to walk around and explore
Nearby: Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve

Mt Franklin, Hepburn Regional Park

The smell of campfire smoke greeted us as we arrived in the volcanic crater of Mt Franklin. Tents were dotted around the small camping area, with a beautiful backdrop of Conifers.
We set off on the uphill track, as the fragrance in the air changed to the clean, fresh scent of pine needles. 

 
The terrain varied from wooden steps, to dusty tracks, to grassy roads used by mountain bikes and bushwalkers alike.

We caught glimpses of mountains through the trees as we climbed...

We heard a few birdcalls, but only saw a couple of Kookaburras and no other wildlife apart from this bug.

There were plenty of wildflowers around the place, looking all pretty -  but I did like this itty bitty baby pinecone even more... 

And these young trees that looked like they were climbing down the hill with us. Bend those knees, trees.

The surrounding farmlands in shades of green and gold and brown and the  blue of the nearby hills added a colourful background to the mountain forest.

 

What: Mt Franklin Reserve
Where: Midland Hwy, Hepburn Springs
When: Daily
Why: scenery, camping
How Much: FREE to walk around and explore
Nearby: The Blowhole

Lee Medlyn Home of Bottles, Clunes

The former Clunes Primary School, turned Knitting Mill, is now home to the Lee Medlyn Home of Bottles.

Medlyn bought the house to store his bottles in and then bequeathed the collection to the town. A Committee was set up to look after the collection of over 6,000 bottles.

 

The vast collection of bottles once contained liquids such as chemicals, poisons, soft drinks, cordials, coffee, dairy products, beer, spirits and medicines. The historic collection is a great glimpse into the past, when glass was widely used as a storage vessel and we lived in a mostly non-plastic world.

Rows and rows of beautiful coloured glass, some etched with business names or intricate designs, fill the shelves.

The interior of the Museum has been turned into a recreation of a town, with aisles of shop fronts, store signage...

...and even a pub!

  

There's a section off the foyer, where bottles, jars and other assorted items can be purchased.  I can see that this could be the start of another collection for interested folks.

I wonder if my souvenir spoon collection will ever end up this huge...

I hope my husband isn't reading this...

The cosy fireplace is the perfect spot to warm up, before heading out into the crisp Autumn air.

What: Lee Medlyn Home of Bottles

Where: 70 Bailey St, Clunes

When: Thurs-Sun 11-4 

Why: history, bottles

How Much: $5

Nearby:Clunes Historical Buildings Walks,  Clunes Goldtown

Clunes Historical Buildings Walk

The first gold in Victoria was found here, and Clunes is a great example of a town from the gold rush era, still relatively unchanged. If you love a mosey around the streets of a quiet old village, with some very cool buildings - Clunes is for you. With most of the historic buildings set in the 2 main streets, you can explore the area easily on foot.
Grab a map from the Museum/Information Centre and off you go.

We started in Bailey St, where the 1872 built Town Hall and Court House is located.

Next door,  the impressive bluestone St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

On the corner of Bailey and Templeton is the former Free Library, built sometime in the 1870's and featuring an unusual double gabled roof.

The grand Post Office, with its lavish Palazzo design, was built at a time when the streets of Clunes virtually flowed with gold.

 

The RSL was once the London Chartered Bank.

 

 

Fraser St  has rows of timber shopfronts on both sides of the street, some with verandahs over the footpath. Although relatively quiet when we have visited, the town does come to life in spectacular fashion for the annual Booktown Festival.

The wide streets of Clunes played a part in Mad Max - where Toecutter's gang came to town. A town steeped in history of many different genres. A town worth a visit for many different reasons.

The School of Mines, where local miners were taught mining techniques.

The old saddlery has a Wild West feel about it.

The Central Garage still has the ghost signs of its heyday and the Mobil flying horse sits proudly on its facade and rooftop.

And if you're looking for a tree change, the former State Bank is currently for sale. The original bank counter and vault are still intact and the bank was once made famous in the Ned Kelly film, starring Heath Ledger.

If anyone out there is looking for a grand site for their next hospitality venture - this place looks perfect and could be a big drawcard for tourists to visit this lovely old town.

Related: can someone lend me $780,000?

What: Clunes Buildings 
Where: Fraser St, Clunes

When:Daily  
Why: history, architecture
How Much: FREE   
Nearby:Clunes Booktown,  Clunes Goldtown

Clunes Goldtown

Now famous for its Booktown event, this lovely old town was the site of the first registered gold discovery in Victoria in 1851. The ensuing goldrush put Clunes well and truly on the map for the next few years.  

Clunes sits in a valley, surrounded by extinct volcanoes. We visited the old mining sites up on the hill by driving up the Scenic Drive above Esmond Park. 

Relics remain from the gold and quartz mines which on which the town made its name and fame.Glimpses of the historic buidings in town can be seen through the leafy treetops.

Back in the Main St, we visited the Clunes Museum for a look into the town's past. 

The double storey building, set in an old warehouse,  holds a large collection of mining artefacts, agricultural items, art and the town's Information Centre. 

 

The volunteer staff were friendly and helpful and we found the Museum to be the perfect place to while away an hour or two learning about this historic place, before setting off to see the movie set-like buildings of the Main Street.

What: Clunes Museum

Where: 36 Fraser St, Clunes

When:Daily from 10am. Closed Tues and Sun.

Why: history

How Much: FREE  

Nearby:Clunes Booktown  Clunes Historic Buildings Walk