Visitors don’t have to swim to score a picnic table at Vaughan Springs anymore, with flood recovery works complete and the site once again open to the public.
The popular park, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country near Castlemaine, was one of the places most severely damaged in the 2022 floods. Water approximately 5 metres deep deposited debris and mud across the site, damaging facilities and washing out tracks and carparks.
Parks Victoria rangers have now completed these difficult recovery works.
“Once the waters had receded, we had to clear all the mud and vegetation the flood had spread,” says Acting Ranger Team Leader Jamie Roberts.
“We also had to repair a bridge, replace the toilet’s septic tank, fix up the toddler pool and restore the carpark.”
“People love coming to Vaughan Springs, especially for a family day out with the kids. Having it re-open for the public is a great result.”
Vaughan Springs at the height of the floods: water covering the historic rotunda. Credit: Parks Victoria
Before the floods, Vaughan Springs was a popular visitor site in the southern half of the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park. It was famous for its birdlife, rock formations and connection to Victoria’s goldmining heritage. Visitors could enjoy a beautiful open grassy area with picnic tables, barbecues, a playground, and a historic rotunda.
Vaughan Springs also contains two of more than 35 mineral springs open to the public in Victoria, each with its own unique taste and renowned qualities. Thanks to the clean-up works, the water is safe to drink again.
For Traditional Owners, the Springs are culturally important. An Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment was completed prior to any works being done.
Before the floods Vaughan Springs was a popular family picnic site. Thanks to the hard work of rangers, it can be enjoyed once again. Credit: Parks Victoria
Visit the Flood and Storm Affected Parks page for a list of sites with a closure in place.
Some parks have been severely impacted and may stay closed for months or even years. Thank you for keeping out of closed areas.
Before you leave home, check the Parks Victoria website and search for the park you’d like to explore then scroll to the Change of Conditions section at bottom of the page.
