A great mountain bike ride from Celestine House.
The forests and old gold mining areas south of Castlemaine and east of Guildford provide a wide range of cycling and mountain biking opportunities. The notes below describe one of many possible trips, but one with a wide variety of trail types and interest for all skill levels. This one was approximately 27 kms in length and took a family of four (ages 13, 16 and parents) four and a half hours to complete (including stops and rests).
This trip follows the Dry Diggings Track which is a well marked walking trail from Castlemaine to Daylesford and is part of the Great Dividing Trail along the Great Dividing Range. The trip described below follows the northern most part of the trail from Castlemaine to Vaughan Springs and then exits to Guildford. As this is a walking trail, bike riders should watch out for and respect other trail users.This trip would be best enjoyed out of the summer heat. Riders should carry plenty of water as there is no water en route.
We started with a good nights sleep at Chris and Teresa’s Celestine House (Guildford, 12km south of Castlemaine). After enjoying Chris’ magnificent cooked breakfast and a leisurely start, we loaded up the bikes and headed into Castlemaine. Delicious sandwiches were bought at Togs Cafe in Lyttleton Street, from where it was a short drive down Wheeler Street to the start of the track.
10:50The ride began with a steady climb up Poverty Gully until the water race is reached and then follows the narrow track that meanders alongside the now dry water race.
11:40End of the water race. Cross over Dingo Park Road and head on up the hill, ride or walk!
11:55Pleasant views from the top of The Monk. A fast run down but watch out for the sign posts!
12:20Old Coach Road. Continue into Cobblers Gully with its scattered ruins and old stone walls.
12:25Turn off to Spring Gully Mine. Try riding the steps leading to the head of the mine. Further on enjoy the ruins of the old Spring Gully mine works. (best explored on foot; riding on the ruins is strictly prohibited)
12:45-
1:00Short lunch stop at the creek past the high point beyond Spring Gully.
1:10Hoist the bikes over the stile (third for the trip) at the exit of the sheep paddock.
1:15Arrive in Fryerstown. Head past the Boot Factory and look for the ‘not so obvious’ sign post on the right immediately after the bridge half way through town.
1:50Reach the large gully area beside the road then cross the road and head up the dirt track.
2:15 Arrive at Vaughan Springs and enjoy the giant slide. Fly down on your polar fleece or ride if you are game!
2:50 Leave Vaughan Springs by turning left at the telephone box, head down the hill then take the first left(Tarilta Road). After crossing the river the road climbs south out of the Loddon valley and at the top veers right to Tarilta. Through Tarilta stay with the main road and at the crossroads turn right along the road signposted to Guildford (enjoy the long downhill run from the top of Table Hill)
3:25A well earned rest stop at Guildford Store with great coffee and cake. The weary ones then only have to take the last climb back up to Celestine House for scones and tea while the fitter ones ride the relatively flat twelve kilometres to Castlemaine to collect the car.