Wedderburn Reservoir Track Walk
The 1.1km Reservoir Track winds around the grounds of the caravan park before circling the reservoir and returning across the dam wall.
Reservoir Track Map
Gold mining operations required a reliable supply of water and the reservoir would have provided security of supply in the busy gold mining period of the late 1800's. In low rainfall areas catch drain reservoirs such as this one maximise flows into the dam. It was upgraded in the 1880?s to provide fresh water for the town but today is used to water recreation facilities. Supply is augmented via a channel from Skinner?s Flat Reservoir north of town.
The caravan park was formerly the crown reserve 'camp' during the gold rush and contains many exotic and native specimen trees that correspond to a garden established at the site as early as 1869. The area was declared a Public Gardens Reserve in 1934.
The track is quite short at only 1.1km and is ideal to tackle in combination with the Nardoo Trail along the creek or as an easy, pleasant stroll on its own.
Things to see
The assemblage of species and design of the gardens at the caravan park show style characteristics of Baron Von Mueller and William Guilfoyle who were instrumental in the design of many notable gardens in Victoria including the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne. Over the years many trees have been lost to drought, old age and disease and have been removed, though the formal layout is still evident in the surviving specimens and cut stumps. Loddon Shire implemented works to improve the health of the remaining trees in 2008.
During the walk keep an eye out for fauna such as kangaroos, echidnas, lizards, frogs, water birds and a variety of bushland birds. Wildflowers provide a stunning display of colour in the right season.
As always in this region, keep your eyes peeled for any precious nuggets that may have been missed by all the fortune seekers that have trodden here before you.
Advice for walkers
Advice for walkers This is a Grade 2 track; no bushwalking experience is required. The walk is an easy loop that may be completed in as little as 15 minutes but a more casual amble will provide a more enjoyable experience. You may encounter snakes, insects, fallen tree limbs, wire and glass.
Temperatures can be very high in the summer be sure to carry water, wear a hat and apply sunscreen. Beware of vehicles on the roads and caravan park tracks. Swimming is not permitted in the reservoir and care should be taken on the steep embankment of the dam wall. Toilets are available at the rest area in the town centre; those located at the caravan park are for patrons only.
Review:
A pleasant enough walk but the area around the reservoir is thickly vegetated and you only get glimpses of the water during the walk. There are poles with red arrows to get guide you but even so, we lost the trail a few times. There is a little jetty on the lake but it is dilapidated and access is blocked. The reservoir itself is not that attractive with power lines running above the water.
Location
63 Hospital Street, Wedderburn 3518 Map
