Walk Report for June 13

Seventeen walkers gathered at Lake Daylesford on a cold but windless day, which proved to be perfect for walking. Starting beside the lake, we walked to the dam wall and down into Central Springs.

The lake was formed above Central Springs in 1929 to cover an area along Smiths Creek which had been scarred by mining works.  Local schools and community groups revegetated the surrounds with European and native vegetation. It has been a popular venue for swimming, fishing, boating and sightseeing since then.

From the Springs, we climbed our first hill and followed an easier path on local roads and tracks around the Daylesford oval, to find the signposted bush track to Jubilee Lake. This was a very pleasant walk in amongst the eucalypts and above Wombat Creek. On reaching Jubilee Lake we passed the trestle bridge, built in 1867 for the Creswick-Daylesford railway. We continued to the north of the lake and the Jubilee Spring.

Lunch was enjoyed by the lake before heading for the Lerderderg Track, partly on the old railway line, and on to Cornish Hill Reserve. Another strenuous climb and we soon found ourselves descending to Lake Daylesford. A quick walk over the bridge and we were back at our cars, having enjoyed a very pleasant day out.