150 year-old Secrets Preserved at the Waratah Reservoir

In mid 2021, we found one small reminder of the original dray track to the Mount Bischoff mine.  It was the faint, but definite, remains of an old bridge, just the approaches, a rotten beam and a few small pieces of timber driven with big iron spikes.  We were pretty excited considering is age.  It … Read more150 year-old Secrets Preserved at the Waratah Reservoir

Following the Philosopher – The Mount Bischoff Dray Road

We didn’t find the old dray track on our first trip to the Waratah Dam. Our consolation prize was a very old timber tramway and bridge. They were pretty interesting. Searching in the forest had been easy. It had an open understorey and it was relatively undisturbed by later activity.  Old things like a 150 … Read moreFollowing the Philosopher – The Mount Bischoff Dray Road

Rediscovering Bell’s copper mine on the upper Mersey

Mineral prospectors were not defined only by their successes. Their failures were necessary learning experiences. Mining is a fickle business, with success depending not only on the presence of a rich and enduring ore body but other factors such as market prices, accessibility and, sometimes, the public imagination. Lincolnshire-born prospector WR (William Robert) Bell (1830–1911) … Read moreRediscovering Bell’s copper mine on the upper Mersey