Drapers Load Antimony Mine (Coimadai)
After unsuccessful attempts were made to find gold in the Pyretes area, Antimony was discovered in 1891 and mined in the range from the 1890s to the 1940s. Commonly used today as a flame retardant and to increase the strength and hardness of lead, Antimony was particularly valuable during the War years as a bronze alloy.
At the mine site there are the remains of a rock crusher, half filled in tunnels and tin sheets.
Care should be taken as there are still deep tunnels and shafts in the park.
How to get to the Mine
The remains of the Draper's Lode antimony mine can be found on the Antimony Mine Road which is off the Coimadai-Diggers Rest Road. Continue along Antimony Mine Road until you reach the car park area which has a sign "Lerderderg State Park, Pyrete Range".
Head up the hill and turn left through a gate after about 700m. Continue keeping left at the first intersection until you reach the first valley. Follow the road left down to the mine site (the road up goes to the Mt Sugarloaf point).
On the road to the mine there is an interesting wire mesh bridge over a creek which can be avoided by crossing further upstream if the creek is not holding significant water.
Drapers Load Antimony Mine is located in an area which was formerly the Pyrete State Forest. The Pyrete Range was added to Lerderderg State Park in 2005.
Access for Dogs:
Dogs are permitted on leash.
Location
Antimony Mine Road, Coimadai 3340 Map
