Welcome to El Dorado North East Victoria

El Dorado Tourism Business Group Inc. Actively promotes tourism in the region through campaigns to highlight the natural beauty of the Chiltern–Mount Pilot National Park, the rich history of the Woolshed Valley and the colourful mining history of El Dorado and surrounds. Vibrant businesses provide visitors with a memorable and unique experience. We hope your journey is relaxing, peaceful and inspiring. The ETBG Inc. welcomes any enquiries and feedback. contact@eldorado.org.au www.eldorado.org.au or www.visiteldorado.com.au

WELCOME

to the historic friendly village of El Dorado - a once thriving, bustling hub of activity centred around the gold rush.

El Dorado is now one of the last remaining authentic country towns in Australia. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Chiltern – Mt Pilot National Park, take the Woolshed Valley tour and learn about El Dorado’s rich history. A memorable, unique experience - your visit will be relaxing, peaceful and inspiring. El Dorado welcomes you.

While little of the original architecture remains in the town, you will find cottages, churches, historic buildings, almond orchards, ancient fig trees and other relics that are reminders of a bygone era. Explore the El Dorado Museum, Reid’s Walk, and Cock’s El Dorado Gold & Tin Mining Dredge the largest in the southern hemisphere, once a 2142 ton ‘floating monster’ which now rests on the outskirts of town.

El Dorado is close to historic Beechworth, the Milawa Gourmet Region, Rutherglen wine region and the Rural City of Wangaratta. For cyclists there’s access to well-marked trails, including the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail.

El Dorado Museum

Housed in the old school building – the museum boasts a large indoor and outdoor collection reflecting life from 1850-1950; including mining, farming and the social history of the area. hello@eldoradomuseum.com www.eldoradomuseum.com

Wangaratta Visitor Information Centre

Open daily 9am - 5pm 03 5721 5711 1800 801 065 www.visitwangaratta.com.au

Rural City of Wangaratta

Displaying a strong commitment to tourism in the area through continued support and funding.

03 5722 0888 www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au

Welcome to...

El Dorado NORTH EAST VICTORIA

A place to rest your soul

Woolshed Valley self guided drive tour Pick up some local produce and pack yourself a picnic before heading off from the centre of town. Follow a well used, dirt road, suitable for 2-wheel drive, through the Woolshed Valley to Beechworth with 10 story boards highlighting interesting pause points to stop and read along the way.

El Dorado has a range of accommodation options. These range from B&Bs that are cycle friendly to a simple camping spot along creek.

Adventure, tours and the outdoors

El Dorado Museum

Featuring a replica armour as worn by infamous Kelly Gang bushranger Joe Byrne plus a collection that reflects the life and times from 1850-1950. The displays cover mining, farming and social history of El Dorado and surrounds and are housed in the old school building as well as in outside displays. The El Dorado Museum offers you an opportunity to step back in time and view life as it was from the time of the discovery of gold.

Biancavera Rubega Studio/Gallery El Dorado Pottery Studio potter Howard Phillips, works predominantly in stoneware, creating functional items as well as individual pieces and using a variety of glaze techniques.

Stroll through former alluvial gold mining sites on Reid’s Walk and along sandy creek beds keeping your eye out for kangaroos, koalas, lizards and abundant bird life as you go. Take a short, steep walk up to the lookout and monument on Monument Hill with its spectacular vantage point over the surrounding area.

Overlooking the natural surrounds of Reedy Creek. View works such as painting, drawing and printmaking or be taken on a creative journey as you are taught by one of the regions well known artists. Discover your artistic flare with group lessons or one-to-one mentoring.

The Dredge – a floating monster Although the town’s main gold extraction was through open-cut methods, the gold discovered in the river flats wasn’t as easily accessible as gold found further up Reedy Creek. By the time the dredge was decommissioned it had dredged 30,000,000 cubic metres from the river flats of El Dorado Plain. It remains a formidable sight and graphically illustrates the extent of the mining operation in and around the town.

You can visit the dredge in its final resting place, located on the outskirts of the town on the El Dorado-Byawatha Road.

Find a shady spot to enjoy a picnic of fresh local produce as you while away the hours. The Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park boasts many tracks, ridges and rides suitable for mountain bike and horse riding enthusiasts.

Gold Panning Fossicking and gold panning with the family along the creek is a very popular. For gold panning, a miner’s right is needed and can be purchased at the Information centre in Beechworth or Wangaratta. El Dorado is the one place in the whole of Australia where you will have a virtual guarantee to find gemstones and crystals along the whole expanse of Reedy Creek, one of the richest of all Australian creeks.

A Cycling Mecca The region is a cyclist’s dream come true!

Take your pick of a wide range of bike inspired activities and events to suit all abilities. Ride the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail, ‘Pedal to Produce’ around the region’s world class wineries and producers, mountain bike through the hills, take the El Dorado bike loop off the rail trail or book your customised cycle tour with our local tour guide operators for your personalised experience.

Cool off on a hot day

Tavern & General Store

Follow a lane-way down, to find a spot on the sandy banks of Reedy Creek. Perfect for a cool paddle and great for families. Take in the sounds as you relax and unwind at one with nature. You can also swim, canoe or kayak in the local ‘Top Cut’ swimming hole.

The McEvoy Tavern is infamous for being the smallest pub in Victoria.

Meals, both lunch and dinner are available Wednesday to Saturday, lunch until 2pm Sunday - served with cold beers or a range of local wines and ciders. The ‘Rustic Barn’, is a nostalgic back drop for groups. The General Store and Post Office offers a large range of services including, post and banking, fuel, tourist information, cold drinks, ice-creams including Gundowring ice-cream, hot food, newspapers and magazines plus local produce and general grocery items.

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Top Cut

Swing Bridge Mining Embankment

Cock’s Pioneer - Offices and Tin Shed

Martell’s Albion Hotel - Fealy’s Ironmongery and store

Mc Evoy Mine Shaft No. 3

El Dorado State School Building: The Museum Athenaeum - Rechabite lodge

HISTORIC PLACES

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Cock’s Pioneer’s first power house

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9 10 11 Sub Station site 12 St Augustine’s Church 13 Wesleyan Church 14 Bank of Victoria - Court House 15 Congregational/ Independent Church 16 St Jude’s Anglican Church 17 El Dorado Cemetery 18 Cock’s El Dorado Gold Dredge 19 Tin Pot Shaft 20 Centennial Park 21 Young’s / Milne’s butcher shop Hazelbrook’s Cottage 22 Stone Culvert built after WW1 23 Ward’s Paper shop 24 Methodist / Uniting Church 25 Schuppe’s Bake House 26 El Dorado Memorial Hall - Soldiers’ Memorial Hall 27 Police Station 28 MUIOOF Lodge 29 Star Hotel 30 Gun House Park 31 Cock’s El Dorado Gold Dredging Company NL - Construction site of dredge

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1. Biancavera Rubega Studio/Gallery: (03) 5725 1742 2. El Dorado Pottery: (03) 5725 1542 3. Peter & Kaye’s Place: 0408 082 778

ART & CRAFT

El Dorado Eco Village: 139 Main St, 0414 887 453

Yellow Cottage: 53 Main St (03) 5725 1742 or 0437 256 131 admin@yellowcottage.net www.airbnb.com.au www.yellowcottage.net

Eldorado Blue Wren Stay: 4 McGregor St 0408 082 778 www.airbnb.com.au

Eldorado Cottage on Main: 1501 Wangaratta – Eldorado Rd, (03) 5725 1407 or 0429 354 783 eldoradocottageonmain@gmail.com www.airbnb.com.au

ACCOMMODATION

STAY EAT PLAY

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To the Londrigan Station Site on the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail

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GREAT WALKS 1. Shared Path The shared path connects the historical landmarks, key township attractions and the gold and tin mining dredge.

Beginning from the centre of town, it’s a one hour round trip to the dredge and back.

2. Monument Hill From the town centre it’s a short, steep walk up to the lookout, offering spectacular views and real vantage point to view the town and surrounding Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park.

3. Reid’s Walk Traverse the winding track through rejuvenated native forest. The creek offers a myriad of pleasures for those who enjoy the outdoor life including gold panning, gemstone fossicking, picnics & BBQ’s, native plants – eucalyptus forest and spring wild flowers, native animals and birds.

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Reedy Creek

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1. Shared Path

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To the Tarr Site on Mounta

FOOD, WINE, BEER & CIDER 4. The McEvoy Tavern: (03) 5725 1778 5. Eldorado General Store: (03) 5725 1592 6. Peter & Kaye’s Place: 0408 082 778 7. Firebox Bakery: (03) 57251 725

FARM GATE 8. El Dorado Garlic & Chilli Co.: 0498 251 74 9. Eldorado Orchards: (03) 5725 1698

GREAT PICNIC SPOTS GREAT SWIMMING SPOTS For more on things to see, places to stay, fo and local produce: eldorado.org.au

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Tarrawingee Station on the Murray to untains Rail Trail

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Studio/ Gallery

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Minjambut ta Ln

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3. Reid’s Walk

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2. Monument Hill Walk

Designated Walks Walks & Path Links

Scale : 500m

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WOOLSHED VALLEY SCENIC DRIVE

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Embark on a self-guided driving adventure through the Woolshed Valley, following Reedy Creek. Beginning at the El Dorado Museum, follow a well used, dirt road - suitable for 2-wheel drive cars, through the Woolshed Valley to Beechworth. There are 10 story boards along the road, highlighting interesting pause points to stop and read along the way. Pick up the El Dorado & The Woolshed Valley Touring Guide from the General Store or regional Visitor Information Centres.

CONTACT El Dorado Tourism Business Group Inc. www.eldorado.org.au

Wangaratta Visitor Information Centre 100 Murphy St, Wangaratta 1800 801 065 www.visitwangaratta.com.au