Lal Lal Bungal Historic Reserve
Located within the State Forest, the historical area offers an insight into the fascinating history of the region.
The centre piece of the historic area is the iron mine and blast furnace. According to Heritage Victoria, the only attempt at mining and smelting iron ore in Victoria took place at Lal Lal in the latter stages of the nineteenth century. In the mid-1870s, the Lal Lal Iron Company installed mining machinery, erected a large blast furnace and constructed a tramway to convey ore from the mine. For a brief time in the early 1880s, the Lal Lal Company had over 100 men engaged in mining and smelting the iron ore, gathering limestone (flux) and firewood, and manufacturing charcoal. The company also operated a foundry at Ballarat. The Lal Lal Iron Works had ceased operations by the end of the 1880s.
Interpretive signage and a wooden viewing platform have been installed to allow visitors to best view the iron mine and blast furnace. The site also offers a picnic area complete with toilets, wood fire BBQ, fire pits and camping.
There is a sign across the road at the picnic area which shows the route to the iron mine. You need to follow a ditch into the bush which gradually opens up to show what is left of the mine.
There is a short circuit walk leading from the picnic area to the blast furnace.
The picnic area is near the intersection of Iron Mine Road and Thynes Road.
Location
Iron Mine Road, Lal Lal 3352 Map
Web Links
→ www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/lal-lal---bungal-h,-d-,a,-d-,
→ Blast Furnace, Lal Lal – Bungal Historic Area (Hiking Fiasco)
