Barfold Gorge
BARFOLD VIC 3444 - Property No L10127
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Statement of Significance
Barfold Gorge contains dramatic scenery and a variety of geological and geomorphological features associated with lava flows, interesting and rare flora and fauna and some history from the gold eras as indicated below:
1) Sequence of Lava Flows:
The gorge exposes a sequence of three lava flows, which geologists regard as one of the best exposures of its type in Victoria, because of the variety of geological and geomorphological features exposed.
2) Geological and Geomorphological Features:
The gorge contains two waterfalls, cliffs of basalt columns, tessellated pavements, a lava cave and spectacular examples of erosion and resultant talus piles. The visual impact of the large cliff of basalt columns at the downstream end of the gorge rivals the Organ Pipes in the Organ Pipes National Park.
3) Flora and Fauna:
The Hairy Anchor Plant (Discaria pubescens) occurs in the gorge. This plant occurs in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania and has a declining population. It has been assessed as having a "vulnerable" status in Australia (i.e. not presently endangered but at risk of becoming so through continued depletion). The Victorian distribution is restricted to small populations inn the eastern highlands and to the west of Melbourne. The latter part of the distribution is limited to the Campaspe River between Kyneton and Redesdale and isolated sites near Newstead, Creswick, Ballarat and Mount Cole.
The Hairy Anchor Plant has been listed pursuant to the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and is the subject of an Action Statement under that Act.
Platypus has been observed in the gorge.
4) Gold mining:
Following gold discovery within the gorge in 1860, small scale alluvial, surface and underground mining took place for about two or three years. There was also some mining activity during the 1930s Depression. There are some remains of this activity (surface scrapes, puddling areas and shafts).
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CAMPASPE RIVER 'ITALIAN' DIGGINGSVictorian Heritage Inventory
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Barfold GorgeNational Trust
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