Sunday 17th December
|
Saw Back Range |
Some friends expressed an interest in walking in to Adamsfield so we decided to do it today. Adamsfield was a mining town established around 1925, and is where osmiridium was mined by various methods up until the 1960s. There is very little left of the town now as most of it has been reclaimed by the bush or burnt down in bush fires.
It was quite a long drive for us from Judbury but we started early and reached the start at 0915. The start is reached by driving towards Strathgordon and at 3.8 kms. past the Scotts Peak Dam turnoff, take the Clear Hill Road. Drive 17.8 kms. on a 2WD road to the walk start. The last couple of kms. are a bit rough but okay for 2WD.
We walked along the Adamsfield (Morley) Track for about 1 km. to the first items of interest, Clarks Huts.
|
Adamsfield (Morley) Track |
|
At Clarks Huts |
|
Morleys Mansion |
|
Morleys Mansion |
|
Clarks Huts |
|
Clarks Huts |
We checked out the outside of the huts before fording the stream and carrying on towards Adamsfield town. It was all easy walking on a good track. Just past Clarks Huts we found a great shelter shed and BBQ which was a great spot where we had lunch later.
About 3.6 kms. from the start we reached the site of the township where there is little to see except for a few relics.
|
The town was 100 metres up the foot track to the left of this sign |
Around here was rain forest type country with lots of tree ferns but once past the township it opened up into more button grass type landscape. We did see a wombat crossing the track but I was not quick enough to photograph it, only capturing its rear end.
Now that the country was opening up we started to get views of the surrounding mountains.
The track carried on to the open cut mine where we could see what we assumed was some black osmiridium ore on the ground. There were a few relics in this area but not a lot.
We wandered around the mine for a while before climbing back up to the track where we had great views of the surrounding countryside. The scenery was spectacular as it was such a great day. we could see Lake Gordon in the distance.
We kept going up the track and then along Packers Spur to a mine a short distance up the track. This was our destination point. There were good views from up here also.
After turning around and heading back we had lunch at the previously mentioned shelter and returned to the cars.
This was an excellent walk on a good wide track and the views were spectacular.
Distance: 13.6 kms.
Time: 4'40"
Ascent: 360 metres
Click here for GPX file.