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Back Roads of the Central Goldfields
JOURNEY
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Trail Itinerary
Maryborough to Carisbrook
Depart Maryborough via Sutton Road (Pyrenees Highway B180) and travel west to Carisbrook, a town surveyed in 1851 and established alongside Deep Creek. Once a vital river crossing and police campsite, Carisbrook became an important administrative centre and a focal point for deep‑lead mining. Mines such as the Stewart Freehold, Chalks Mines, Woolbrook Mine and Carisbrook United shaped both the landscape and the town's prosperity. Originally part of Simson's pastoral run, Carisbrook is also notable as the birthplace of Tilly Aston, blind author, poet and founder of the Association for the Blind, now Vision Australia.
Tullaroop Reservoir to Majorca
Return along Rodborough Road for approximately 5 kilometres before turning toward Majorca, the site of the district's last major gold rush in 1863. Majorca was a harsh and transient mining settlement where survival was often as challenging as the search for gold. The Gibraltar Mine employed over fifty men and was later re‑worked during the Great Depression by the Nicholas Brothers, inventors of Aspro. Once boasting hundreds of hotels and stores, much of Majorca was destroyed by bushfires in 1935 and 1985.
Majorca to Talbot
Depart Majorca via McCallum's Creek Road, passing numerous ruins including the former Greenock Park Hotel, now slowly being restored. Continue to Dunach to join the Maryborough–Ballarat Road, then turn toward Talbot. Along the way, view the Union Mine site and Major Mitchell information board. Talbot's main street follows the original Scandinavian Lead, which triggered the major rush of 1859. Once home to over one hundred hotels, Talbot remains rich in goldfields heritage and small‑town character.
Carisbrook to Tullaroop Reservoir
Head south via Landrigan Road (C288), passing the coloured gravel hills of the Woolbrook Mine and the Carisbrook Cemetery, established in 1858. Turn left at Rodborough Road toward Tullaroop Reservoir, crossing McCallum's Creek and passing more deep‑lead mining sites including Napier's Freehold and the Kong Meng mines. Built in 1959 as part of the Loddon Irrigation Scheme, Tullaroop Reservoir is Maryborough's major water supply, holding over 73,000 megalitres. The historic Rodborough Vale homestead was submerged when the reservoir was filled.
Talbot to Amherst
Leave Talbot via Avoca Road toward Amherst, once larger than Talbot during the gold rush. Visit the Amherst Cemetery or enjoy local wines at the Amherst Winery by appointment. The township contains the remains of the once‑extensive Amherst Hospital, now reduced to a surviving mortuary building. Bluestone culverts along the road showcase high‑quality government infrastructure built during the gold era. Just outside town is Victoria's largest natural quartz outcrop and a National Trust‑listed Aboriginal shelter tree.
Amherst to Maryborough via Paddy’s Ranges State Park and Adelaide Lead
From the centre of Amherst, turn into Possum Gully Road and travel through bushland toward Paddy's Ranges State Park. Detours lead to Aboriginal rock wells, Chinese baths and the Possum Gully Road Studio Gallery. Paddy's Ranges State Park offers picnic areas, walking tracks and bush camping within box‑ironbark forest rich in wildflowers, orchids and birdlife. Continue to the Pyrenees Highway and return to Maryborough via the historic Adelaide Lead, completing a relaxed and scenic touring loop.
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Where you'll be
Railway Station, Station Street
Maryborough VIC 3465