The Australian Gold Rush, which started in 1851, had a profound impact on the country's national identity. Within a year, more than 500,000 people (nicknamed "diggers") rushed to the gold fields of Australia. Most of these immigrants were English, but may prospectors from nations including the United States of America, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Poland, and China also settled in NSW and Victoria. These "diggers" forged a strong, unified identity that was independent of colonial British authority. This notion of "mateship" is central to the modern history of our nation.
Gold diggings, Ararat, Victoria, by Edward Roper, 1854
Camping Gold
Our latest camping expedition took us into the Loddon Valley to the historic township of Waanyarra, which is located between the Victorian towns of Dunolly and Tarnagulla. This spot was once a thriving gold mining town complete with two hotels, some stores, a school and a post office. The town was named after the aboriginal word for 'running water'. It is now part of a State Forest with seasonal creeks and gullies criss-crossing the ironbark forests. Remnants of the old town still stand today, including the Mortons Old Hotel and the Waanyarra Cemetery. We camped in a lovely spot on the edge of the creek at the Waanyarra Recreation site, surrounded by native bushland and lots of bird-life. Evidence of old gold-diggings surrounded us, so it was a fascinating place to spend a few days. You can just imagine all the canvas tents lined up along the creeks and the sounds of people from all over the world busily panning for alluvial gold in the creeks before retiring to the hotel for a well-earned drink or three.
History at rest
Just a short distance from the old township (and our campsite) is the beautifully maintained Historic Waanyarra Cemetery which opened in 1858. There are many unmarked graves in the cemetery but the local families and friends of the town have done a great job of listing the names of people laid to rest and preserving the site so that it forms a part of the natural bushland surrounds. At the side of the road near the Cemetery is what is known as the 'Prostitute's Grave' (see first image). This is a neat, well-tended grave adorned with flowers. Legend has it that a woman is buried there who was not allowed to be buried within the cemetery grounds due to her 'occupation'. However, according to the Waanyarra Reunion site, this story is not backed by historical documentation.
Living History
The surrounding towns of Dunolly and Tarnagulla were also really interesting places to visit. Dunolly, in particular, had some beautiful 19th century architecture and a vibrant cafe and creative culture. It has a couple of marvellous old hotels, a heritage coach house and inn, a court house, banks, post office and town hall, just to name a few. A great place to grab a coffee, chat with locals and wander around with the camera on a glorious sunny day.
River life
Not far from Waanyarra is the township of Bridgewater which is a great spot to view the spectacular Loddon River. This river is the second longest in Victoria and forms part of the Murray Darling basin. The river rises below Musk (near Ballarat) and flows inland and northwards through central Victoria, ending near Swan Hill in NSW. At Bridgewater, the river is wide and deep making it a popular spot for water skiing, kayaking, fishing and swimming. There's a great pub on the river bank too! A wonderful place to enjoy a cold, craft beer and a tasty lunch whilst watching the river flow by.
Wildlife
Of course, our camping experience would not be complete without some wildlife encounters. There are so many birds to watch and listen to in this region, as well as some local marsupials. Here are some images of our colourful friends at this campsite, including a pair of swallows that insisted on trying to build a mud nest in our camper trailer! All that effort for no result.
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