Golden Track - the Goldfields Track
The Goldfields Track is the longest shared use track in Victoria.
Linking goldfield cities of Ballarat and Bendigo, the Goldfields Track provides a pathway and cycling track to central Victoria's hidden treasures, from diverse forests and spectacular views to the artifacts and cultural heritage of the greatest gold rush that the world has ever seen.
Along the Goldfields Track, you can see evidence of an ancient ocean floor forming 480 million years ago; a granitic intrusion that punched its way into the crust 368 million years ago; and remnants of volcanoes that were active a mere half a million years ago. Plant and animal communities are primary shaped by climate, ecology, elevation and aspect. Seasons also heavily influence animal communities, especially birds . The composition of a bird community may change dramatically through out the year as autumn-winter migrants arrive and depart, making way for spring-summer visitors. The Goldfields Track follows an environmental gradient that begins in the cool temperate forest south of Ballarat, traverses the undulating Great Dividing Range and ends in the dry box-ironbark forests around Bendigo on the edge of the northern plains. The track passes through a diversity of landscapes, each supporting their own characteristic array of plants and animals.
From the soil beneath the towns and forests linked by the Goldfields Track, over 40 million ounces of gold were recovered in 50 years. A you travel along the track, you will find that the bush harbours many tales of the its golden past; crumbling stone walls of huts and pubs, and the gold mines and gullies that yielded up fortunes.
Golden Nugget Discovery Tours has several walks along the Goldfields Track, from half day to 3 day walks. Ours are the only Ecotourism Certified walks on the Goldfields Track, an Ecoguide will walk with you and interpret the flora/fauna and cultural heritage as you walk along. Start / Finish points are from Ballarat, Creswick, Daylesford and Castlemaine. Our walks are modeled off the European walks, where you walk several kilometres then stop at a town for morning tea or lunch, then walk a few kilometres to the finish point or your waiting overnight accommodation if you are doing an extended walk.
The Goldfields Track is a superb walk through Central Victoria, one that has bragging rights to your friends after you experience what it has to offer. Ideal for a Melbourne Day Tour. You catch the train up the Goldfield towns of Ballarat, Creswick, Castlemaine, where we meet you and we look after you. See Our Website for further details and bookings..
