WALHALLA GOLDFIELDS IN COLOUR
More pictures of Walhalla than anywhere on the net
Horse Shoe Bend Tunnel or Chinese Tunnel
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The name depends on who is talking about the tunnel. Located between the Walhalla Goldfields Railway station and the Coopers Creek. Easiest access is from the Coopers Creek road, where there are signs. The tunnel entry is the easiest walk, 1km back along the old railway track then turn at the sign marking the steep climb down to the tunnel entry. The tunnel exit is a steep climb down to the river and believe me its a long hill on the way out. The exit of |
| the Horseshoe Bend tunnel is in a very beautiful area and well worth a look despite the steepness of the track in and out. The Horseshoe Bend Tunnel was made to divert a section of the Thomson River through Stockriders Spur in 1911 so the river bed that ran around Stockriders Spur (approx1km) could be reached to access the alluvial gold in the now dry river bed. he horseshoe tunnel is said to be Australia's longest gold diversion tunnel. In recent months there has been debate over whether or not the Horseshoe tunnel will be blocked off to allow the river to flow in the original river bed for environmental and tourism reasons. |
