Gold was found in Stringers Creek in 1863 and by 1866 numerous mines within the valley were opened. The great Long Tunnel Company, to which the prosperity of Walhalla owed its existence, became the greatest single producer of gold in Victoria. It closed in 1913. Walhalla once supported 15 hotels, 40 shops, two breweries, four churches, a school, jail and its own newspaper. Timber getters denuded the hillsides in supplying mining companies with 34 000 tons of timber a year.
The permanent population of Walhalla today is fewer than 20, although there are many more temporary residents and visitors on holidays and weekends.
The narrow-guage railway arrived from Moe in 1910 only in time to see the town die. The two major mines closed in 1911 and 1913 and the trains which were to have brought posperity were used to cart away Walhalla's buildings. By 1920 there were only 250 people left. The railway closed in 1944 but is being rebuilt as a tourist railway.
It was a excellent trip with perfect weather.
Hope to share more great trips around Australia.
Cheers Dave & Bernie
View our pictures on the follow links.
http://picasaweb.google.com.au/david.co ... directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com.au/david.co ... directlink
Mountains! Seems most of the pictures we get about Australia are of the Rock and Opal mines. Or maybe those are the ones I remember. I do like Opals. 
