BBQFrom 11:59 pm on Wednesday 5 August 2020, Regional Victorians are allowed to engage in outdoor sport and exercise, using locations and facilities as close to home as possible.
Activities such as bushwalking, gold prospecting, bike riding, kayaking, are permitted, but only with either members of your own household or one person from a different household. Please read a complete overview of the current sport and exercise restriction levels for regional Victoria on the DHHS website.
If you are located within Victoria's Mount Alexander Shire, this list provides plenty of places to get out and explore for recreation and exercise while still staying close to home. Please use common sense with this one - choose places close by, around your own town. Do not travel all the way from one end of the shire to the other.
Vaughan Springs, Vaughan VIC
Take a walk around the beautiful Vaughan Springs.
Formerly a large gold rush town called "The Junction", Vaughan Springs was a favoured alluvial gold and market gardening area for Chinese miners. Today you can visit the mineral springs and take a stroll along the beautiful Loddon River to the beautiful sound of birds singing in the trees.
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Cairn Curran Reservoir, Baringhup VIC
Take a walk around Cairn Curran Reservoir, also popular for boating and fishing.
The Cairn Curran Reservoir is an enormous water catchment managed by Goulburn-Murray Water. The reservoir was constructed began in 1947 and was completed in 1956. Cairn Curran is a popular spot for a wide range of recreational activities, including boating, water skiing, canoeing, fishing, walking and swimming.
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Turpins Falls, Langley VIC
The beautiful twin waterfall at Turpins Falls.
Turpins Falls drops down over a gorgeous, huge semi-circular wall of rock into a large pool of water below. This is an impressive, peaceful location where you can swim beneath a waterfall! The best time of year to visit to see the falls flowing in full force is winter/spring.
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Charlie Fox's House, Maldon VIC
Charlie Fox's House is a fantastic place for children to explore.
Charlie Fox's house is a gorgeous feature at the foot of Maldon's Rock of Ages. A large stone nestled among a cluster of green plants has been painted up to look like a quaint little home, with the words "Charlie Fox's House" painted on the far side. This is a wonderful spot for children to explore.
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Garfield Water Wheel, Chewton VIC
Explore the fascinating ruins of the Garfield Water Wheel.
Visit the Garfield Water Wheel historical site in Chewton, Victoria and explore the ruins and remnants of the Garfield Company Mine. Visitors can explore many fascinating features of the Garfield Mine site by taking a short self-guided walk which travels around the area. An information sign alongside the parking area provides a map and numbered features of the walking track.
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Shepherd's Flat Lookout, Harcourt North VIC
Gorgeous views from Shepherd's Flat Lookout.
Shepherd's Flat Lookout offers spectacular hillside views over Harcourt and the countryside beyond from high within the Mount Alexander Regional Park. Shepherd's Flat is an easy 330 metre walk from the roadside parking area, located along the same road as the unmissable Dog Rocks.
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Dog Rocks, Harcourt North VIC
Explore the hillside boulders and beautiful views at Dog Rocks.
Dog Rocks, a stunning granite outcrop within the Mount Alexander Regional Park, offers spectacular hillside views over Harcourt and the countryside beyond. Countless enormous boulders stand out strikingly from the western slopes of Mount Alexander, just a short walk from the parking area. Spend some time exploring and appreciate the beautiful views from many different vantage points.
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The Cascades, Metcalfe VIC
Swirling rockpools at The Cascades.
This extraordinary hidden gem is tucked away in the quiet town of Metcalfe, Victoria, just 25 minutes from Castlemaine and 40 minutes from both Bendigo and Daylesford. A series of cascades sweep over layers of bedrock as the water whirls down through rockpools, crevices and little caverns. Relax in a rockpool, take a dip in one of the larger swimming holes, or make your way across the stunning bedrock and boulders to wander along and appreciate the scenic beauty of the Coliban River.
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Barkers Creek Reservoir, Harcourt VIC
Take a scenic walk along the waters edge at Barkers Creek Reservoir.
Barkers Creek Reservoir is a scenic spot for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, walking, and birdwatching. Bench seats offer views out over the water and you can walk around the reservoir or along the dam wall to the spillway. A fenced area displays relics from the reservoir's original water control system.
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Loddon River Weir Walking Track, Baringhup VIC
Take the beautiful riverside walk to the base of the Cairn Curran Spillway.
This scenic walking track along the Loddon River takes about 20 minutes and leads to the base of the Cairn Curran Weir. The walk is a narrow track winding through pretty shrubs and trees alongside the Loddon River. Along the way you will find a rope swing suspended from a tree overhanging the river and hear the lovely sound of unseen rushing water get louder and louder as you progress.
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Forest Creek Historic Gold Diggings, Castlemaine VIC
Take a self guided tour around the Forest Creek Historic Gold Diggings.
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Anzac Hill, Maldon VIC
Explore the remains of a historic mine site at the Red, White and Blue Recreation Area.
The Red, White and Blue Mine in the Muckleford State Forest is a fascinating place for a barbecue and bushwalk. The historic mine is a sight to behold, featuring an intact poppet head with winding wheels and remains of timberwork, a mine shaft, machinery site, mullock heap and dams. The poppet head was originally from the Bendigo Deborah United Mine.
Expedition Pass Reservoir is a great place for a bushwalk.
Expedition Pass is a scenic reservoir in Golden Point, just a few kilometres from Chewton and Castlemaine. This reservoir is fantastic for swimming, fishing, bushwalking, canoeing and birdwatching.
Rise and Shine Nature Conservation Reserve, Strangways VIC
Take a self-guided tour through the Rise and Shine Nature Conservation Reserve.
The Rise and Shine Nature Conservation Reserve, between Newstead and Daylesford, is a beautiful patch of bushland with an educational self guided tour. A walking track follows the path of an ancient river, and 21 numbered information points allow you to refer to your park notes (available in a container at the beginning of the walk) and learn about each feature. Discover native plants and animals, fascinating geological features, and the impact both animals and humans have had on the land.
Rock of Ages, Maldon VIC
Beautiful rocky views from atop Rock of Ages.
Rock of Ages is a spectacular rocky outcrop atop Mount Moorul, overlooking Maldon, Victoria's first notable town. Enormous boulders are staggered across the top of the mount and offer breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.
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