McVeigh's water wheel
started it's life running equipment at the Contention Mine in
Contention gully located about 13 km up stream from the
current Upper Yarra Dam wall. This was one of many mines in
the area. In those days the yarra was at full flow below the
current dam site and a large prospecting community was in the
area. When the mine closed Paddy McVeigh the proprietor of
McVeigh's hotel had the wheel moved to provide electricity for
the hotel. On construction of the upper yarra dam McVeigh's
hotel site was inundated. Wile construction was under way the
water wheel again had a shift and provided power to the
workers quarters. Today you can visit McVeigh's water wheel in
the grounds of the Upper Yarra Dam park. The gears and iron
work are the only remaining original parts as the rest has
been rebuilt. Until recently the wheel was going but of late
it has been stoped, dryed out, shrunk and has started to fall
to bits :( The Photo shows the wheel at one of it's former
sites.
Wile the cache can easly be completed by a quick day visit
(without fees), camping is available in this park but booking is
highly recommended (camping fees apply). Tents, caravans and moter
homes are accomodated in the camping area and there are toilets and
shower facilitys. The camping area and park office are located
around S 37° 40.190' E 145° 53.340'. The park is closed to day
visitors at night. For more information visit the Upper
Yarra Dam Parks Victoria website.
The cache
A multi cache has been used as there was little scope for a safe
hid near WP1. At WP1 you will find yourself very close to McVeigh's
water wheel. This area has picnic tables and ramp access for
wheelchairs. Have a look and a read. Then look for a small metel
plate containing 2 rows of 3 digits. Do not enter fenced
areas or dig in garden beds! Place the 6 numbers from the plate in
the blanks and find the cache.
The cache is at:
S 37° 40.___' <- Top row goes here
E145° 52.___' <- Bottom row goes here
The cache is a 1.75 litre screwtop container. WP2 is not very
wheelchair friendly but not totaly imposable if your keen and can
cope with a 10 cm step.
Wile you are here you may also like to visit Quasar's
Melbourne Water #1: Just a Tribute.
Above picture full size