4WD Treks Close to Melbourne: Validation of trek 10 The Golden Way
Date and time: 9:00 for 9:30am, Sunday 3 March 2024.
Trip Standard: Medium – mix of gravel forestry roads, some medium rocky tracks and hills and small creek crossings.
Please contact your trip leader if you are unsure of any of the following requirements for this trip.
Description: From the historic town of Daylesford through forest old gold-mining areas, to historic and pretty Castlemaine. From Daylesford we pass through some wet forest, to the Lavandula Lavender farm and cafe (and cricket willow museum). The route follows some lush wet forest tracks, on to Vaughan mineral water springs, where you may be able to pump your own mineral water and the Eureka walk (1.8km), around old gold diggings and aboriginal rock wells. The road goes through a few small creek fords before heading into Castlemaine.
Weather: Expect pleasant summertime conditions. (Keep an eye on weather, bring gear as required. No special weather gear required)
The track has a few small creek crossings and muddy spots after rain.
Equipment: Below are the recommended vehicle requirements. If you are not sure if your vehicle is suitable for a trip, please have a chat with the trip leader.
A well-maintained vehicle with normal road tyres are OK for this trip (All Terrain tyres would be preferred, but not necessary), UHF radio (or one borrowed from the club). After rain the track has a few muddy spots so consider mud tyres if there s rain ahead of the weekend. Recovery gear is not mandatory, but if you have it, bring your standard recovery gear including, rated snatch strap, shackles and a shovel. Not suitable for All-wheel drive vehicles.
Additional Equipment required: Compressor as we may air down if there has been recent wet weather.
Morning tea and lunch will be on the road. BYO snack, meal and thermos ‘on the move’.
No camper trailers, pets or firearms
Maps and Reference Material: Trip leader will be using Hema HX1 but for a paper map, try the Rooftop Daylesford-Castlemaine-Ballarat Forest Activities Map.
Fuel: A full tank ex Daylesford. Fuel is available in Daylesford (and at the finish in Castlemaine)
Distance: Daylesford is approximately 132 km from Melbourne. The trip is mostly off-road and a few km of bitumen roads.
Duration: 4-5 hours (depending on walking to sights)
Convoy limit: 10 vehicles.
Meeting arrangements: We will meet at 9:00 at the Visitor Information Centre on Vincent St, Daylesford, and depart at 9.30am. If you plan to get breakfast/coffee beforehand there are plenty of cafes a block or so away. We will aim to finish about mid-afternoon.
Trip Leader: Carolyn Sparke, phone 0418 549 396, email sparkie@vicbar.com.au
Club Guest Registration policy: It is club policy in regard to insurance cover that if a member brings any non-members on the trip they must be registered and have paid the required fee as Temporary Members BEFORE the event.
i.e. non- members can no longer register on the day with the trip leader.
Temporary Membership information and ways to register can be found at:
Temporary (Guest) Membership
Also if a non-member wishes to bring their own vehicle, the member inviting the non-member must contact the trip leader for approval to bring the vehicle. Such approval will take into account skills of the driver, suitability of the vehicle and whether or not a place within the convoy limit is available for a non-member's vehicle.
