Powder Magazine to Woolshed Falls

Powder Magazine to Woolshed FallsThe Powder Magazine was built in 1859 and used to store large quantities of gun powder, which was used to blast open gold bearing alluvial and quartz deposits. The magazine was closed in 1918. It is a very unusual fort like building, and well worth a visit. The Cascades, formerly Reid's Creek Falls, are here. There is a series of steep falls allowing the creek to drop to the valley below. Please keep to the track as there are many deep mine shafts on each side of the track. There were nearly 8,000 miners here at the height of the rush, as this goldfield was one of the richest in Victoria.

Beechworth Powder Magazine Beechworth Powder Magazine Beechworth Powder Magazine

 

From here you can see the Precipice above, an excellent lookout giving views over the Reid's Creek Goldfields and further into Kelly Country. Crossing Reids Creek and a 100 metre stroll will bring you to the Diversion Dam, another example of the efforts made to divert water for mining purposes. The Woolshed Falls Area has its own fascinating walk, showing the effect of sluice mining on the creek banks and surrounding area. There are very good examples of the diggers enthusiasm where they have diverted the old creek by cutting a race through solid granite, and by creating a tunnel through a solid granite cliff. The Falls themselves are worth the walk.

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