Lerderderg State Park - what is The Tunnel?

[David M]

I was just wondering what The Tunnel is at Lerderderg State Park. Thanks.

[peregrinator]

I was just wondering what The Tunnel is at Lerderderg State Park. Thanks.

From Jack's track notes: day walks in Werribee Gorge, Lerderderg Gorge, Long Forest Mallee and Bacchus Marsh district, Jack Myers, 1996:

The Tunnel was cut through solid rock to divert the Lerderderg River in order to search for gold along the old river bed.

Similar earthworks were often made elsewhere for mineral extraction, for example at Warrandyte on the Yarra River.

[David M]

Thanks. Can you walk through it?

[Snowzone]

There is also a diversion tunnel from long point weir that diverts water from the river through a tunnel into a local reservoir. This tunnel is not able to be walked through.

[andrewbish]

No. But there are some great options to get to the weir where the tunnel is, including rock hopping along the river and ridge walks either side.

[GregR]

David,

The Tunnel which is up stream from O'Briens is as the others have pointed out a diversion of the river thru a rocky spur. I last went there just under 2 years ago and it was blocked by a large amount of flood debris.

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