Hepburn Springs - Swiss-Italian Heritage Walk
A unique cluster of Italian speaking emigrants from the Swiss and northern Italian region came in the 1850s goldrush era to this area. Like many other Europeans they were seeking a way out of the turmoil and troubles of their homeland for both them and their families. Though at first seeking gold they were soon establishing homes, vineyards, farms and new families. The influence of these people can be seen in this landscape, their buildings and the cultural legacy that continues today. This 8km return, 2 hour walk explores the Swiss and Italian influence in the area.
From the Daylesford Visitor Information Centre, drive towards Hepburn Springs along Vincent Street and Hepburn Road for 5km into the Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve.
The reserve is 30 hectares of public land developed from a small 1860s reserve centred on the original mineral water spring. The larger reserve now provides protection and enhancement of the mineral water generally. Heritage Victoria lists the Reserve for its historic, social, aesthetic and scientific significance to Victoria. Walk to the eastern side of the carpark and down the track on the right hand side of the BBQ rotunda. Go past the Sulphur Spring and just before the playground, take the uphill dirt track on the left. Continue straight ahead at first intersection. At the next intersection, follow the right hand track and go through the gates to the former Hepburn Pool. (1)
Brothers Ernest and Victor Zelman were instrumental in building a pool for the visitors and locals that then developed into a proper swimming pool with the help of the wider community. Swimming and diving demonstrations and competitions were held here over many years with crowds of people covering the surrounding creek banks.
Return to where you entered the pool area and take the uphill track on the left. Climb the steps to the Pool Sign. Turn right and walk up the road. Turn right again and follow this road around to the left and uphill to a "T" intersection where you turn left and continue past Hotel Bellinzona. (2)
Battista & Ellen Borsa established a home and butchery business here in the 1860s. After the death of Battista in 1889, Ellen es-tablished the guesthouse, Bellinzona. Later operated by her daughter Blanche, then married to Ernest Zelman. This first building was destroyed in a disastrous bushfire in 1906. Another fire in 2003 burned down the newer grand Edwardian influenced guesthouse. The current Bellinzona building is much larger but retains key design elements of the former guesthouse.
Continue on past Rubens on your right to the Savoia Hotel, formerly Bedolla Bros', Enri & Michelle, Spring Creek Hotel. (3) Their hotel contained the 1860s Italian Reading Room and was a focal point for the Swiss and Italian community. Carefully cross over the road to the Lucini Bros', Pietro & Giacomo's iconic stone and brick building. (4) Formerly containing the Macoroni Factory and the Roma Hotel.
Turn back towards Hepburn Springs and turn left into Sixth Street and then right into Swiss Mount Ave. When this road veers to the right, take the dirt track on your left and follow it downhill and over the footbridge. Read the interpretive sign that explains the unique bridge and the location of the former Swiss Mountain Quartz Mining Company. (5) This company was established in 1864 here in Doctors Gully.
Make your way up to Lakeside Drive and turn right and then right again up a dirt track. Follow this track along the side of Doctors Gully to the intersection with Main Road. Turn right and follow the footpath.
Just on the right at the start of the gully read the interpretative sign about Doctors Gully. Cross over Tenth Street and continue up the footpath on your left. When you reach the in-tersection with Hepburn Road, turn right and follow the footpath beside the stone wall to Parma House. (6)
Parma House is now called Villa Parma, listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, was built in 1864 by Fabrizio Crippa. It is one of the few buildings from the early Spring Creek settlement that survives largely intact today. Cripoa was an Italian pioneer who was involved in mining and he was also a butcher. He established a fine orchard, garden and vineyard around the villa in the early 1860s. Many other vineyards were dotted along the main road out towards Shepherds Flat.
Continue on to Tenth Street where you turn left and carefully cross the road and walk down to the Soldiers' Memorial. Take the gate on the right and continue down the path. Cross over the bridge on your right (be careful, it can be slippery) and follow the path down to Locarno Spring, (7)) named after the birthplace of many of our Swiss pioneers. Having enjoyed the water, continue on the path past the playground and the Sulphur Spring and continue on the track uphill to the left and to the carpark.
Access for Dogs:
Dogs must be kept on a leash.
Location
Mineral Springs Reserve Road, Hepburn Springs 3461 Map
