Mt Donna Buang Pictorial Heritage - 1890 to 2011

O'Shannassy Aqueduct Trail

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Gold, Logging, and Timber Tramways
Ben Cairn
Acheron Way
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Family Snow Photos of 1925
Bushwalking Tracks
O'Shannassy Aqueduct Trail
Mt Donna Buang Rainforest Gallery and Skywalk
Mt Victoria Towers and HF Radio Reception
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References and Bibliography


1920 Building the Aqueduct

Now part of the Yarra Ranges National Park, the O'Shannassy Aqueduct Trail is a long, step-on, step-off 27 km walking/cycling/horse route starting at Don Rd, Launching Place, and ending at the O'Shannassy Reservoir, about 80 km east of Melbourne, past the town of Warburton.

The Aqueduct was constructed between 1911 and 1915, and decommissioned in 1997. The maintenance track, known as Road 18, has been opened up progressively for walkers, horse-riders and cyclists, following transfer of land ownership from Melbourne Water to Parks Victoria.

The Trail passes through magnificent Mountain Ash forest, past fern gullies, with excellent views across the Yarra Valley towards Mt Little Joe and the mountains near Big Pats Creek. It winds its way around the base of Mt Donna Buang, Mt Victoria and Ben Cairn, passing many aqueduct engineering works, bridges, syphons, huts, distance marker posts and old maintenance sheds.

New access gates for management vehicles and walkers have been built at various locations along the route.

Sadly, there has been massive encroachment of vegetation, fallen trees, branches, and weeds in sections of the Aqueduct.

Trail Notes, and detailed maps, may be downloaded from the Parks Victoria Web site:

http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources05/05_1751.pdf


1960 The Aqueduct

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1925 Tramway crossing over the Aqueduct

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1960 The Aqueduct

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2011 A bnd in the Trail

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2011 View from Dee Rd car park

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2011 Dee Rd car park

Feedback, submissions, ideas? Email bobpadula@mydesk.net.au.