Woods Point - Heck and Nell Stewart Memorial Park
A park with historical items from the gold mining days, shelter with picnic table, information panels.
There are toilets across the road.
There is a memorial plaque which commemorates the 50th anniversary of the destruction of the township of Woods Point in the disastrous bushfire on "Black Friday" 13th January, 1939 in which Miss Nellie O'Keefe perished and the Morning Star Gold Mine and Charles Bros. Sawmill were totally destroyed.
An information board reads:
Woods Point - A turbulent history from riches to ruins to renewal
After gold was discovered in the Gaffneys Creek area in 1859, hopeful miners slowly travelled up the Goulburn River in search for new finds. In February 1861, William Gooley set out from Jamieson with two hired men and five packhorses, to work their way upstream. After three months of hard unremitting toil, two of the hands had left, and three of the horses had died. Gooley decided to continue alone.
In May of that same year, Gooley found traces of alluvial gold in a creek about two miles downstream of where Woods Points stands today. That creek now bears his name. He pegged out three claims and returned to Jamieson to register them, but on returning to his claims he found that they had been 'jumped' and he eventually appeared before a Select Committee of the Legislative Council, for justice.
Within months many miners rushed to the area to try their luck with the alluvial goldfields at the top of the Goulburn River. In May 1861 Joseph Corry and Dittmar Behrens after staking a claim at the foot of a creek, now called the Morning Star Creek, were exploring the area when Corry discovered quartz studded with gold laying on the ground. By July 1861, Corry, Behrens and a member of another local mining family, the McDougalls, proceeded to establish what is now known as the Morning Star Mine, one of Victoria's richest gold mines.
In 1862, Henry Gibson Wood, a Canadian, set up a store in the area. By the end of 1863, surveyor John Hardy had surveyed the area and named it Woods Point. By the mid 1860s, about 50 large mines were in full swing and hundreds of smaller claims were producing gold. The town's population had increased to around 2000, and Woods Point now had four suburbs, Richmond, Piccadilly, Waverley and Morning Star Hill, in addition to the outlying community of Gooleys Creek.
There were about 30 hotels, three breweries, over 25 shops and stores, stables, churches, dance halls, a soap factory, a ginger beer & cordial factory, abattoirs and a slaughterhouse. As well there was a courthouse, a police station with a lock up made from logs, a hospital, several doctors, a chemist, a veterinarian, six banks, post and telegraph office, fire brigade, over 30 business offices, The Mountaineer Newspaper, a town band and Mr H. Richy - the Town Crier.
The Morning Star Mine continued successfully for many years even though by 1870 a lot of the mining companies and small miners were finding it hard to attract funding. By 1905, much of the mining in the Woods Point district had ceased. The Morning Star Mine continued producing on and off until 1962 when it was finally closed. Since that date there have been a few attempts to re-open the mine, but unfortunately none have been successful. But! Who knows what the future may hold.
Fire has always been a constant danger in these mountains, especially for wooden buildings. Unfortunately it is too expensive to cart bricks from afar to build more fire resistant structures. Since 1862 Woods Point has had a history of fires, large and small, but on Friday 13th January 1939 (Black Friday), fire swept through the district and almost totally destroyed the town. Fortunately there was only one fatality and many residents survived by sheltering in mine edits. Most of the buildings you can see today were built after 1939.
Another information board reads:
Exploring Woods Point and Surrounds
In August of 1861, the mining registrar described Woods Point as a 'collection of huts and a few stores'. This small mining village had been established once the alluvial gold found at Gooleys Creek was traced to its origin, a quartz reef.
In 1862 Mabille (Harry) Wood established a store near the river to service the miners of the Morning Star Reef. This location was known as Woods Junction and it eventually became Woods Point. At its peak, Woods Point was home to around 4000 people.
The town boasted four breweries, a court house, police station with lock up, churches, a school, a hospital, several doctors, a chemist, six banks and a post and telegraph office. It also embraced stores, livery stables, business offices, a soap factory, an abattoir and slaughterhouse, two local newspapers, 36 hotels and numerous accommodation houses alongside some 300 houses and 400 tents.
While the initial boom only lasted until the 1870s, gold continued to be successfully mined at the Morning Star Gold Mine. Due to the Black Friday Fires on the 13th of January 1939 most of the township of Woods Point was destroyed along with 15 other towns. 71 people lost their lives, 15 of those were workers in Matlock. The town was rebuilt as you see it today.
Woods Point is a beautiful little town full of amazing mining history. Things to do here include bushwalking, trout fishing, exploring, 4WDing, gold panning, motorbike riding and camping.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long can I camp for?
In State Forest you can only camp in the same camping ground for up to 28 consecutive nights.
Am l able to bring my dog?
Yes, dogs are permitted if they are restrained or under immediate control at all times. To avoid committing a littering offence, remove any excrement deposited.
Should I feed the wildlife?
No, for your own safety and the health of the animals you must not feed any wildlife.
Can I wash my dishes, clothes or car in the river or creek?
No, you are not permitted to use soap or detergent within 50m of a waterway. These products are harmful to the aquatic environment.
Can I use a firearm in the surrounding State Forest?
Yes, but restrictions apply. Firearms use is not permitted in public campgrounds, from vehicles or across / from public roads.
Can I have a campfire?
Yes, but restrictions apply. You must familiarise yourself with regulations before lighting a campfire.
Can I collect firewood?
Yes, firewood can be collected from fallen trees only. Winching or towing logs is not permitted. Show respect when using chainsaws around other campers or visitors to the area.
Rubbish
Keep your rubbish contained while visiting state forest and then take it home with you.
Goulburn River Reserve
On the other side of the road is the Goulburn River Reserve which has a shelter with table and BBQs, unshaded tables, sculpture of a miner panning for gold, a memorial to Niel Ross (1911-2009), Brewery Creek walking tracks and free mini golf course.
Photos:
Location
14 Bridge Street, Woods Point 3723 Map
