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The Blowhole: A Gold Rush Relic

Explore a historic gold mining diversion tunnel in Hepburn Regional Park, a testament to Victoria's gold rush era.

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The Blowhole in Hepburn Regional Park is an artificial diversion tunnel created in the 1860s by gold miners on Sailors Creek. Visitors can witness the impressive feat of engineering and explore the surrounding landscape shaped by the gold rush era.

A brief summary to The Blowhole

  • Monday 12 am-12 am
  • Tuesday 12 am-12 am
  • Wednesday 12 am-12 am
  • Thursday 12 am-12 am
  • Friday 12 am-12 am
  • Saturday 12 am-12 am
  • Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

  • Visit during winter or spring, or after heavy rainfall, to see The Blowhole with a strong water flow.
  • Combine your visit with a walk on the Goldfields Track to further explore the Hepburn Regional Park.
  • Wear sturdy shoes if you plan to explore the walking trails around The Blowhole.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    From Hepburn Springs town center, drive north and then east along Main Road for approximately 1.3km. Turn left onto Eighteenth Street, then right after about 1km onto Blowhole Road. Blowhole Road is a dirt road (0.8km) that leads to the Blowhole carpark. From the carpark, it is a short 100m walk to the viewing platform. Parking is free.

  • Public Transport

    Take a train and coach service from Melbourne to Daylesford via Woodend or Ballarat. From Daylesford, a taxi or ride-share service is required to reach The Blowhole, which is approximately a 10-minute drive. Pre-booking a taxi is recommended due to limited availability. A taxi from Daylesford to The Blowhole typically costs around $20-$30.

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Discover more about The Blowhole

The Blowhole, located in Hepburn Regional Park, stands as a testament to the ingenuity and determination of 1860s gold miners. This artificial diversion tunnel was constructed on Sailors Creek (also known as Jim Crow Creek) to reroute the water's flow around a bend. This allowed miners to access the exposed creek bed and sluice it for gold. The tunnel itself is a remarkable sight, especially when the creek is flowing strongly. Water rushes through the tunnel and is expelled over a rock face into a pool below. Viewing platforms offer different perspectives of the tunnel's inlet and outlet, as well as the surrounding area. Though the water flow may be reduced or absent during the summer months, the site remains an interesting historical landmark. The Blowhole is easily accessible from a nearby carpark, followed by a short walk to the viewing platform. Visitors can also explore the area further via short walks along the spur above the tunnel or through the old diggings. The Blowhole also connects to longer trails within Hepburn Regional Park, including sections of the Goldfields Track. Today, The Blowhole is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. It serves as a reminder of the intense gold mining activity that once characterized the region. It also highlights the lasting impact of human endeavors on the natural landscape.

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