Brownings Loop

Starts at the Mafeking picnic ground. Winds around the area with loads of old mine shafts around. All shafts closed by steel mesh. I was there in winter and the 2 bridges acoss small watercourses were extremely slippery, so be very careful. Good place for a walk and picnic.

Natural beauty. Love this spot

This place may be a little off the beaten track but it makes an ideal place for a short walk (2 Km) if you're staying in the Southern Grampians. There are plenty of old mine shafts, and steep gullies here, but if you keep to the track you will be safe.

As you walk around, try to imagine the scene in 1900: Ten thousand men and their families were digging for gold here. There were seven policemen. Several hotels and even a school. Then three years later the gold ran out and only 60 people stayed on to inhabit the town of Mafeking. That is, until the 1930's when a bush fire gutted the entire place and what you see now is all that remains. The small piles of stones you will see are probably the remains of houses, shops or hotels, perhaps. Makes you wonder.

It's also a good spot for a picnic. Toilets, fireplace and tables.

Big disappointment. Not worth the long, difficult drive.

:-/