Carricktown Young Australian

A good start and finish would be the Bannockburn Pub unfortunately this was hit by fire in September '09 so we can’t guarantee you at this time a pint when you finish. Ride through Bannockburn and bear right on to the Nevis Road after 5 km and continue on a metal road uphill about (2 hours) 9km to the highest point of Duffers saddle for the best view south down the Nevis Valley and west to The Remarkables.

Return back down Nevis Road a couple of hundred metres to the Carricktown Track on the left, right if you didn't make it to the Saddle. About 200 meters bear left at a large rock (Watts Rock) and continue on to a 4wd track for about 4km along the ridge you will soon cross the old mining water race that is still in use today for irrigation.

The track turns right for a downhill that will give you a bit of everything, you will see a sign about the area and a walking track to the massive waterwheel of the Young Australian Mine restored in 1990. This is a walking only area that is well worth a explore but care should be taken. As well as the waterwheel you will find the remains of the old stamper battery across the gully and several huts perched on the hillside.

Continue down the 4wd track through the gully and down the Old main street of Carricktown. The settlement of Carricktown sprang up in the 1870s following a series of small gold strikes in the area with three pubs a couple of stores and plenty of miner huts, you can find these ruins and other gold workings in the area.

Complete the ride by by continuing down hill until you come to a gate then return to Bannockburn via Schoolhouse Road.