Woolshed Falls – Beechworth, Australia - Atlas Obscura

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Woolshed Falls

Chiltern-Mount Pilot National Park

This gold mine–turned–swimming hole is the perfect summer picnic spot, immersed in nature and history. 

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Great for swimmers and history buffs alike, Woolshed Falls was the center of a mining encampment 8,000 prospectors strong a century ago. The falls still bear the marks of this extensive gold-digging, but have since been reclaimed by nature.

Located in Chiltern-Mount Pilot National Park, the falls begin where Reedy Creek runs over a broad sheet of undulating rock. It gently curves downwards before plunging into the bottom pool, which is surrounded on three sides by cliffs. The channels and pools worn into the rock form natural showers, baths and rather painful waterslides that locals use to cool off in summer. 

The plunge pool at the end of the falls is unusually deep for its size. It’s the result of 57 kilograms of gold being removed from the silty bottom between 1918 and 1920. This depth is an important feature for those looking for a thrill, rock jumps off ledges in the walls surrounding the pool is possible (but dangerous).

Woolshed Falls can be accessed by two short walking tracks. It is a great place for picnics and is appropriate for families, although children should be closely supervised. The falls can be found to the right off of Mcfeeters Road when traveling from Beechworth.

Know Before You Go

Don't miss visiting the nearby historic gold mining town of Beechworth, a 10-minute drive from the falls.

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