"Victorian Goldfields Railway

20th June 2007"

After a wet start (and also the bus getting lost), twenty six of our Club members boarded the air conditioned coach, travelling out along the Calder Highway, via Diggers Rest, for a morning tea stop at Kyneton. The delayed start, wet weather and traffic congestion through the City, meant that we were running late for our midday train, so the coach captain (Ken) decided to proceed directly to Castlemaine where we had a quick morning tea (or luncheon entree?). Fortunately the weather had improved greatly over the other side of the Dividing Range, but it was still quite fresh outside.

After morning tea we walked over to the Victorian Goldfields Railway Station and boarded the old restored steam train for the 45 min. 'rattlely' train ride to Maldon.

The steam train is operated by experienced volunteers who maintain and operate all aspects of the railway. A small number of skilled full and part time employees complement the efforts of the volunteers.

On the train we were served and enjoyed a freshly made cut lunch of sandwiches with patty cakes, tea and coffee as well as the great company of friends.

At the Maldon Station we were again met by the coach and taken to the Mt. Tarrangower fire lookout tower which has a 360 degree view of the goldfields and picturesque Maldon below.

After leaving the lookout we spent a short time window shopping in the main street of historic Maldon. Back on the bus we were shown many of the important diggings sites and told a little about the gold history dating back to the 1850's and some of the recent history of Castlemaine and surrounding towns.

From Maldon, we returned by coach to Melbourne, via Woodend, where we enjoyed an ice cream/coffee stop and a chance to browse the craft shops. We arrived back at Wheelers Hill about 5pm after a most enjoyable outing.