Heathcote - A hike, explore the historic architecture & The Pink Cliffs
Details
We ran a similar event a few years ago so I have duplicated parts of it (thanks Peter M).
In the heart of central Victoria, nestled between the stunning McHarg and McIvor Ranges, and just 100km from Melbourne, is the charming township of Heathcote
Heathcote boasts a rich history. Pastoral runs and squatters called Heathcote home from the 1830s, but it wasn’t until gold was discovered at McIvor Creek in 1852 that the region really exploded. The gold rush brought in a digger population estimated at around 40,000 by late 1853, but by the following year, many of them had moved on. The first official land sale was in January 1854 and it was around this time that the township was named Heathcote. Records are unclear as to why – possibly it was after a newly appointed British MP, or perhaps simply the abundance of wild heath growing in the area. By the mid-1860s the town had a hospital, school and Anglican, Presbyterian, Wesleyan and Catholic churches. Many beautiful buildings from this era still stand, particularly in the main street, showcasing the stunning architecture and craftsmanship of the time. After the gold rush had faded in the 1870s, many people took up farming as a way to live and grazing, agriculture and dairying have remained mainstays of the Heathcote economy.
Heathcote also is home to the stunning Pink Cliffs. The cliffs are a result of the sluice mining work done during the 1880s gold rush.
It almost looks like a crater on Mars, with deep crevasses of fine pink clay stretching across the field. The pinkish clay that makes up the cliffs has a texture similar to talcum powder and the colour of the cliffs can change depending on the time of day and weather conditions. You could be treated to cliffs ranging in colour from creamy yellow to salmon to a soft dusty pink.
The site is easily accessible from Heathcote (it takes just 20 minutes to walk there from the centre of town), and it’s free to enter.
SCHEDULE (IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MAP BELOW)
10.15am - Welcome and briefing at Heathcote Powder Magazine, 250
Forest Drive, Heathcote.
10.30am - Hike to Cave Loop Walk (3.1km distance, 126m elevation, and
1-1.5hours)
12.45pm - Lunch at Commercial Hotel - 139 High St, Heathcote
2.00pm - Explore Heathcote Historic Buildings - see the map in the link:
a) Walk up High St to Nos. 15 & 16 on the map, and back
down Hospital St to no. 18 & 19.
b) Explore Camp Hill (No. 20)
c) Continue Historical Building Walk exploring No. 1-13 along
High St.
4.00pm - Drive to Pink Cliffs Reserve - 68 Pink Cliffs Road, Heathcote.
5.30pm - Event ends.
Gear to consider bringing
- Comfortable walking shoes for the hike.
- Water
- Minimise camera gear given you will be hiking.
- Clothing - weather dependent.
Note: Please check this page for any updates on this event, right up to the day before the event.
We look forward to having you join us.
Rowan and John