Easton’s Dam Report

 Walk Report November 28.

 

We assembled at the toilet block by Lake St. George, at Creswick, in perfect walking weather. Our leader, Chris, then led the group of 13 around the lake to join the Goldfields Track to the Koala Park, constructed by students from the School of Forestry in 1942 as a breeding area for koalas.

On our arrival at the “entrance“ to the reserve, it was immediately obvious why it became something of a laughing stock. The fence posed little challenge to the marauding marsupials and there were soon more outside the park than inside. Leaving the park we continued into the bush along well defined walking tracks, frequently beside water races in an environment littered with the debris of gold mining. Unfortunately, large sections of the track have been subsumed into the extensive network of the 60 km. Creswick, All Abilities Mountain Bike Trail. The trail was to host the cross-country mountain bike event for the 2026 ”Commondebt” Games. Though the State Government pulled out, the project has continued.

Chris explained the ingenious engineering of a bridge, constructed after a significant flood, that features a hinged barrier that can be raised and secured in place to prevent large pieces of debris continuing down Creswick Creek.

It was a relief to leave the wide, steeply cambered bike track and resume our walk on the original, narrow path through the bush to Eatons Dam. This stone and earth construction was built in 1862 by the Eaton brothers and remained in use until the 1930s, sometimes supplementing the Creswick water supply. It was finally breached in the 1920s.

We then progressed to Cosgrove Reservoir for morning tea before retracing our steps back to the cars and lunch on the shore of Lake St. George. Our appreciation to Chris and Tim for their guidance and support.

This walk was to be led by Brian Hay. A consummate gentleman, Brian has decided to retire from our group after many years sharing his quiet confidence, warmth and knowledge of the history and ecology of the areas we traversed with him. I have included a photo I took of Brian on this walk last year – a man at ease with himself and the environment. Thank you Brian.

 

Helen Mc