It's hard to believe that the tranquil village of Wandiligong in its picturesque valley setting was once the centre of a bustling goldfield, and home to over 3000 people. Yet as you wander on the Wandi Walk, past the native eucalypts, wild apple trees and a meandering creek, you'll notice unmistakable signs of the miners' desperate search. Water races, dredgings and old mine shafts are still visible. This sense of the past lingers in the quiet streets as well. A number of historic buildings have been preserved or faithfully restored, including the first official Post Office, the tiny Wandiligong Library (1878) and the impressive school which once educated over 300 students. The former police horse paddock has been planted with striking chestnut trees, elegant poplars follow the old road alignment, and the stream now flows by unhindered. The halcyon days may be gone, but a wonderful memory lingers.
Location: Bright and Wandiligong
Length: 13.5km loop
Walk: 3.5 hours return
Track: Good
Grade: Flat
Start: Bright Splash Park, Bright
Finish: Wandiligong Diggings Reserve, Wandiligong
Nearby: Bright
Best time: Autumn, late spring.
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