May the 4th be with you!
To see photos of this trip go to the photo page.
How?
On the website and in the April Newsletter was heralded an Aberfeldy Track working bee.
As a result of the recent Alpine fires, Greg Rose had to cancel the Surveyors Creek working bee so Craig Murray decided that people may have some spare time, so we could do the Aberfledy track working bee instead.
The plan for this day was to do some maintenance on the Toombon mine site. The work involved was cleaning of signs, brush cutting of walking tracks and mine sites.
As usual the requirement was suitable protective clothing, equipment for clearing signs and walking tracks. The Aberfeldy track team had two brush cutters that we borrowed with two Victa motor mowers transported by trailer. Given how far most of the work was from where we parked the vehicles, we carried lunch with us.
What?
Toombon was a booming mining town in the late 1800s to early 1900s with a population of around 700 people. There are plenty of old mining relics to view at this site. Not far from here is the Toombon Cemetery which was gazetted in 1886 and functioned until the turn of the century
The Toombon mine was the principal mine in the Aberfeldy/Donnelly's Creek Mining Division and is a Heritage Inventory of Significance. The site has historical and scientific significance because of the rarity and intact nature of the mining relics. The Network values these relics which represent a sequence of uses from 1870 to the 1930s. Therefore, is has a significance ranking of the ‘National Estate’
At the Toombon mine site are the upper level mine workings, mining machinery - at the top of the dump, and level with the shaft collar, are foundations for a horizontal engine and winding drum, the remains of a Babcock and Wilcox water tube boiler and a metal chimney stack made from the fire tube of a Cornish boiler. On the level above and to the east of the shaft is an arrangement of foundation bolts which were probably used for other winding and pumping machinery.
Lower level mine workings - the shaft is plugged at the 180-ft level and connects with the main adit (an adit is an entrance to an underground mine which is horizontal or nearly horizontal, by which the mine can be entered, drained of water, ventilated, and minerals extracted at the lowest convenient level.), the entrance of which is situated at creek level between Donnelly's Creek Road and the main street of Toombon.
Below the adit is a second dump and fragments of a tramway formation along the northern margin of the creek. This connected the mine to the battery site at the other end of the township. The chimney and some walls from what the mine manager’s house were probably are located at the base of the mullock dump adjacent to the Donnelly's Creek Road where it crosses Toombon Creek.
The ‘Babcock and Wilcox ‘water tube boiler is a Horizontal drum axis, natural draft, natural circulation, multitubular, stationary, high pressure, solid fuel fired, externally fired water tube boiler. It was discovered by George Herman Babcock and Stephen Wilcox in the year 1967. And if was named after its discoverer as Babcock and Wilcox boiler.
History
A reef was first worked on Mt Lookout in 1864 by a prospector named Jessop. In 1868, two residence leases were taken up at Mt Lookout under the new 42nd section of the Lands Act, and the original prospectors of BB Creek worked the land as a market garden known as The Farm.
Jessop persevered with his reef for years, sinking shafts and driving tunnels and 'obtaining such encouraging results that he underwent great privations rather than relinquish his hold on the ground, in consequence of which,' according to a report in 1871, 'he died about twelve months ago.'
He did not live to see the success of the reef which would be worked variously as Jessop's, Fleming's, the Aberfeldy, Lily of the Valley, and Toombon. Just after Jessop's death it was announced that, 'A new reef on the Aberfeldy, containing fine gold, and of considerable width, has been taken up within the last week - situated four miles below the crossing of the Gippsland road. ' Fleming was the discoverer, and a rush ensued. In 1871, Fleming's party was cutting a race in preparation for a battery, and the next year, as the Aberfeldy Co., they erected a 'powerful' water-powered battery of ten heads near the mouth of their tunnel. The returns were not much good, and the shareholders disagreed about how best to develop the mine, so its performance during the 'seventies was. In 1881 the Toombon GMC was formed and a new main shaft commenced north of the road.
The next year, a Langland's Cornish boiler, 33-hp steam engine, double winding drum, and pumping gear were installed near the shaft. A good-looking reef was struck in 1883, causing many new claims to be pegged out in the vicinity. In 1886, the Toombon Co.'s battery was increased to twenty heads, powered by a larger (40-ft) waterwheel, but with an auxiliary steam engine of 35 horsepower. The Toombon mine closed down in 1898, having reached a depth of nearly 1,000 ft. With a total yield of 50,844 oz from 61,888 tons, it had been the largest gold-producer in the Aberfeldy-Donnelly's Creek district.
Another Toombon Co. was formed in 1934 to re-open the mine. Thirty thousand pounds was spent on clearing out the main shaft and winzes, (a winz is a shaft or inclined passage leading from one level to another, but not rising to the surface) but poor prospects closed the mine in 1940. Of the plant installed in the 'thirties, only the water tube boiler remains.
Where?
We met in Rawson to pick up the brush cutters and Victa motor mowers. We left Rawson out on the Thompson Valley Road, to where it meets the Walhalla Road and turned onto Donnelly’s Creek Road which winds its way up to Toombon with spectacular views over the mountain ranges. The Toombon Walking Track takes approx. 45 minutes to complete when clear.
It is part of the Aberfeldy Four Wheel Drive Track and it combines rich history, striking landscapes and the thrill of rugged, unsealed terrain. The 4WD track follows the original Aberfeldy track from the early 1800s, which was used as a transportation route for horse and carts during the gold rush. Step back in time and discover the heritage of the area telling tales of local families, famous travellers and important figures from long ago. Interpretation signs are en route throughout the drive marking historic sites and remnants, such as the Red Jacket Cemetery and the old mines of Toombon. There is also a multitude of ways that 4WD enthusiasts can immerse themselves in nature with some side trips for walking, and ample camping and fishing opportunities. There are two main Back Road Tours - Donnellys Creek Loop and Jordan Valley Loop (both are Easy – Medium) – linked by an access road (Easy). There are also three side trips including Hanging Rock Walking Track (Difficult – Very Difficult), Aberfeldy Crossing (Difficult) and White Star Township (Easy).
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