Colbrook Reservoir Walk and Swim 1102
Colbrook Reservoir and Paradise Mill Walk
DATE: Wednesday February 11
TIME: 9:15 for a 9.30am start. Walk duration is approximately 3-1/2 hours including stops.
LOCATION: Colbrook Reservoir between Ballan and Blakeville. Details will emailed to registered walkers prior to the event. Registrations are essential before noon on Friday, February 21, 2025.
WALK LEADERS: Arie Baelde (on land), Tim Bach and Greg Stewart (in the water)
DESCRIPTION: This walk starts near the Colbrook reservoir, follows forestry tracks to the site of the historic Paradise Mill and returns to Colbrook Reservoir where we can have a picnic lunch and a swim in the Res. The Paradise mill was constructed in 1879 by Edward Blake and operated until 1900. Most workers lived in the nearby company town Blakeville. Colbrook reservoir was constructed on the Korweinguboora Creek in 1949 and opened as Ballan’s town water supply in 1953. It has now been decommissioned and the 109 megalitre reservoir mainly serves recreational purposes. The walk will cross many different ecological zones which are a reflection of the rainfall gradient and the complex local geology.
DIFFICULTY: The walk is rated Medium. The total distance is 10k and is mostly on 4WD tracks. The overall elevation gain is less than 400m.
HEALTH AND SAFETY: If you are ill on the day of the walk, please stay at home. It will be Summer so keep an eye on the expected Temperature, we cancel events at late notice if too hot, fire bans etc. Please call or text the walk leader if you are unable to attend.
GUEST MEMBERSHIP AND INSURANCE: The walk is free to members and open to non-members. For non-members, a $10 fee is payable for insurance cover under the Bushwalking Victoria insurance policy. Please note that children under 5 years cannot be covered by this policy.
DOGS: Dogs are allowed on this walk. Dogs must be on a lead at all times. Handlers must clean up after their dogs and remove waste from the area. Dogs are not allowed in the Reservoir.
BRING: It is recommended, you carry a personal first aid kit, your own medication, water bottles, sun screen and personal hiking gear (sun glasses, walking sticks, small pack, etc). Wear clothing appropriate for the predicted weather conditions on the day. Bring light refreshments for breaks and a lunch.
SWIMMING: The Colbrook Reservoir is small and picturesque and is a swimming hole destination for many people who enjoy Victorian waterholes. A small rocky beach near the dam wall provides an excellent entry point. There are no lifeguards so you should be a proficient and confident swimmer. Bring bathers, a towel and swimming shoes if you want to have a swim.
BOOKINGS: Bookings are essential and open 2 weeks before the walk. You may cancel your booking by returning to this page and clicking the cancel button. This will free up a space for other walkers. If the walk is full, you can elect to be put on the waiting list. You will be emailed if a space becomes available. You have 24hrs before the space is withdrawn and offered to the next on the list.
Approximate Location Here
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