Walking in Grant Historic Area

Grant Historic Area offers a range of walks that take you through the thick forested area, winding through watercourses and dotted with history. From 16 hour hikes to 1.5 hour walks, find something to suit your adventure. 

 

McMillans Walking Track (Talbotville to Eaglevale) – 10.2km, 5 hours one way, Grade 4 

Along the way dramatic views of The Pinnacles and Snowy Bluff can be seen in the distance with lush river flats far below. A comprehensive guide for McMillans Walking Track was published in 2020 by Ben Cruachan Walking Club and Chapman.
Starting from Talbotville campground, the walk can be broken into three sections:

• Crossing the Crooked River at the Talbotville ford, walk up Brewery Creek Track. After 1km leave the road and climb over a spur before dropping down to the large grassy flats of Pioneer Racecourse on the Wongungarra River. Take extreme care crossing the river as water levels can be high at certain times of the year.
• From Pioneer Racecourse camping area, it is a steep climb up Station Track to Cynthia Range Track.
• McMillans Walking Track continues steeply down the western side of the ridge eventually following a series of switchbacks to Eaglevale campground on the Wonnangatta River in the Alpine NP.

 

McMillans Walking Track (via Crooked River route) – 40km, 16 hours 2 or 3 days one way, Grade 4

This section of the track from Talbotville to Lankey Plain was opened in 1990 to avoid the long 26km walk along the Dargo High Plains Road to Kings Spur. The track follows an old mining supply route along the Crooked River and Thirty Mile Creek and then continues along White Timber Spur Track. 

 

Jolly Sailor Mine – 4km, 1.5 hours return, Grade 3

Start from either the small camping area at Grant (behind information shelter) or the carpark at the Jolly Sailor Spur Track.

A pleasant walk with some short, steep sections to the old Grant township. The track passes the Jolly Sailor mine and battery site as well as an old square chimney, thought to have been built for smelting gold. 

 

Eldorado Walking Track – 6km, 3 hours one way, Grade 4

Start from McMillans Road adjacent to the first entrance to Grant Township, 5km from the Dargo High Plains Road. If you are doing this as a one-way trip, a 4WD will be required to pick you up on Randall’s Track.

Eldorado was originally cut to link Grant township with the Jungle Creek alluvial workings. The eastern side of the spur was mined early in the 1860s.

The track winds down the steep spur with views of the surrounding mountains – Snowy Bluff, Mount Dawson and Mount Kent. Lower down Billy Goat Bluff Track can be seen climbing out of the Wonnangatta Valley up to The Pinnacles.

 

Jungle Creek Falls – 2km, 1.5 hours return, Grade 3

The trailhead is situated on Hibernia Spur Track 5.7km east of the Dargo High Plains Road intersection.

This track is relatively steep and offers excellent views back into the Wongungarra Valley. Jean Gamel was the first European to chart the waterfall and was involved in establishing the accommodation house and store, the “Bandicoot Arms”. Unbeknown to Gamel, he directed some miners to the area and an exceedingly rich gold strike.