Dry Diggings Track (Ride)
Ride the Dry Diggings Track
- 58km (approx)
- 5-6 hours*
Castlemaine to Daylesford (58km)
Australia’s first National Heritage Park, the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park was created in 2002 in recognition of the region’s intimate association with the Victorian gold rush era.
The Dry Diggings Track can be broken into four smaller walks, or combined to create a three-four day hike.
*Time is based on walkers with a reasonable level of fitness and experience.Â
The best way to understand the track conditions and attractions is to purchase and use the Golfields Track Walk or Ride Guide (second edition). You can buy a copy here.
'Cry Joe' ride
Castlemaine to Vaughan Springs (19.5km)
From 1851, mining gold without a licence was illegal. When troopers were on the war path, the diggers’ warned of their approach by the rowdy cy of “Joe, Joe, Joe!”
Golden Mountain ride
Vaughan Springs to Porcupine Ridge Road (11.4km)
Vaughan was an epicentre for Chinese miners, who came in their thousands to try their luck at what they called the Dja Gum Sum or Golden Mountain. The largest Chinese mining camp in Victoria was at nearby Guilford, reportedly supporting two circuses.
Mount Franklin View ride
Porcupine Ridge Road to Hepburn Springs Reserve (14.7km)
Tipperary ride
Womans Gully to Lake Daylesford (14.2km)
From this point there is a brief section of tarmac before the track reenters the forest and winds toward Fryerstown. Dense bushland is occasionally broken by moonscape like clearings revealing vast expanses of reef rock, look closely and you may spot a remnant streak of gold passing under your tyres. More flowy singletrack takes you past the Spring Gully mine site and following a steep pinch up the Monk you arrive at the Poverty Gully water race – this engineering marvel still carries water to paying customers 140 years after its construction. Nowadays it doubles as a shared walking and cycling trail providing an unforgettable finish to a great day’s riding.
Elevation
The Dry Diggings Track will test your fitness with some challenging climbs and descents
