Trail Fast Facts
Castlemaine Diggings is a 14km, grade 3 hike in Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park, Victoria. This hike typically takes 4 hours to complete.
Hike Overview
This hike is along some of the many wonderful walking tracks in the Castlemaine Diggings and includes part of the the Goldfields Trail. Walk from Chewton to the Welsh Village in the Castlemaine Diggings Heritage Park. The trail takes in the Manchester Mine, the remains of the Garfield Water Wheel, the Welsh Village and return via Forest Creek.
Track Grade
Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.
Tips
Easy walk along relatively flat terrain. Keep to the track as there are many mine shafts in this park.
Map and GPX file
Max elevation: 427 m
Min elevation: 315 m
Total climbing: 322 m
Total descent: -322 m
Trail Location (trailhead)
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About the region
The Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park is near the town of Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia. The park protects a nationally significant historic cultural landscape of heritage value and relics of the Victorian gold rush. The Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park was added to the Victorian Heritage Register in December 2003. It is the largest non-indigenous protected cultural landscape in Australia. In January 2005 the park was added to the Australian National Heritage List recognizing its outstanding heritage value and importance in the course of Australia's migration history.
Explore Safe
While planning your hike, it’s important to check official government sources for updated information, temporary closures and trail access requirements. Before hitting the trail, check local weather and bushfire advice for planned burns and bushfire warnings and let someone know before you go. Plan ahead and hike safely.
Let someone know
Adventure with peace of mind: Fill out your trip intentions form. Before you hit the trail, fill out an online form to privately send important details about your hike to your family or friends. If you don’t return on time, they can easily alert emergency services, preventing worry and ensuring a swift response. Hike with peace of mind and enjoy your outdoor adventure to the fullest. Be smart, be safe: Register your plans here.
Gear to consider
What you carry in your pack will depend on the weather, terrain, time of year, type of adventure, and personal preferences. Having trouble deciding what gear’s right for you? My free planning, food and packing checklists provide an introduction to things your could consider (as well as the Ten Essentials) on your day, overnight and multi-day adventures. Customise your kit according to your personal needs, always considering safety first.Â
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Weather
Acknowledgement of Country
Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.
3 Reviews on “Castlemaine Diggings Hike (14km)”
I did a slight variation on this trail today, I added a detour from north east of the reservoir up into the pine plantation. The plantation gets very steep and it’s a bit desolate where the lots have been felled, but it’s got some nice views.
The Diggings park itself has heaps of trails, don’t worry too much about taking the exact ones, as long as you have a compass you can’t really get lost, and you’re never far from a road.
The reservoir is really worth the visit. It’s also possible to swim – at your own risk of course. No toilets or taps anywhere, so take plenty of water.
Great trail but you need GPS and a copy of the map as there are trails everywhere for different walks and it gets a bit confusing.