Tyers - Scenic Drive (Walhalla & Mountain Rivers Trail 91)
The Walhalla and Mountain Rivers Trail navigates you through some of Gippsland's beautiful bush scenery as you head up to Walhalla. This former gold mining town was named fifth in the RACV's (Royal Auto Club Victoria) Top 101 Victorian Tourism destinations.
Gold was first discovered in Walhalla in the 1860s and from 1863 to 1914, Walhalla was one of the richest gold mining regions in Australia with a population of 3,000 people. Walhalla is located in a steep and narrow mountain gorge so access to the township was difficult. A railway was built to provide access to the town in 1910 just in time for the towns decline in 1914 when the gold began to dry up. Walhalla's decline was rapid and was virtually a ghost town as the bush began to reclaim the town. Today Walhalla is home to 12 permanent residents and attracts thousands of tourists each year.
The Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine is the original gold mine in Walhalla and is still operational today. Take a guided tour of the mine or ride the Walhalla Goldfields Railway. Wander through the cemetery or take a ghost tour of the town at night.
Other towns along the trail include Rawson and Erica. Rawson began its life as a home for the many construction workers working on the nearby Thomson Dam. Today the town serves as a base for lovers of nature or for those wanting to head up to the snowfields of Mt St Gwinear and Mt Baw Baw.
Erica's history lies in the hardship of timber milling which the community proudly showcases with memorabilia on display at the hotel. Erica was also the highest point on the Moe to Walhalla railway which now forms part of the Erica to Thomson rail trail.
The snowfields of Mt Baw and Mt St Gwinear are only a short drive off the Walhalla and Mountain Rivers Trail and are idea for families wanting fun in the snow or the more serious skier.
Follow the Walhalla and Mountain Rivers Drive on Google Maps.
Web Links
→ Walhalla and Mountain Rivers Drive Map on Google Maps
