Omeo Oriental Gold Claims Ah Fong Loop Track
Omeo Oriental Gold Claims Ah Fong Loop Track
An enjoyable 45 min walk through the historic gold mining area in Omeo. One of the best walks in the area.
Summary
An enjoyable 45 min walk through the historic gold mining area in Omeo. One of the best walks in the area.
Description
Starting at the Oriental Claims picnic area, cross the bridge over the creek and turn left. The track is well marked and signs along the way give interesting facts about the people who worked here, especially Ah Fong, whom this walk is named after. "Ah Fong became wealthy with his mining ventures, and then decided it was much easier running a shop adjacent to the Chinese - and then sent his wife out to work his claim!"
The landscape was dramatically impacted by the method of gold extraction they used here called hydraulic sluicing. Along the walk the scenery and altitude varies because of this. The beautiful Livingstone River is by your side as you loop back towards the car park providing another quiet and scenic picnic spot.
13808 Views
Points of Interest
1. Bridge over Livingstone Creek
Cross the bridge to get to the other side where the walk starts!
2. Track sign
This walk describes the Ah Fong Loop Track but you can walk from here to the Omeo reservoir in the town center also.
3. Steps Up
The landscape and track are very up and down as a result of the gold mining methods used.
4. Claims information sign
Ah Fong must have been quite a character and you can learn why if you read the signs along the walk.
5. The track and the cliffs
The cliffs have been exposed to get to the gold they were hiding.
6. Starlight Claim
These caves were dug out by hand to get to the gold when water was unavailable.
7. Gully bridge
Water was a vital tool for extracting the gold here so the miners dug more than 50km of ditches and channels to bring water upstream.
8. Track sign
From here you can cross the bridge and go to Omeo or continue to your right and loop back to the start.
9. Rocks
Possibly part of a race used to divert water to high points above the mining sites.
10. Steps to Livingstone Creek
Go down here to get to a waterhole and sandy area.
11. Livingstone Creek
This creek was severely impacted from muddy water being washed into it but today it looks clean and healthy.
12. Sandy creek bank
A sandy spot by the creek to rest or picnic.
13. Water hole
Perhaps have a swim?!
14. The end
Follow the creek back to the bridge back to the beginning.
Features
Playground
Picnic spot
Seating available
Public toilets
Local treasures
Art and culture
Park / Garden
