'BLOWHOLE' DIVERSION CUTTING

The Blowholes Gold Diversion Tunnel is a creek diversion which was probably built in the early 1860s when Jim Crow Creek was being extensively worked by European and Chinese miners. The short tunnel was used to divert the waters of Jim Crow Creek effectively cutting off a long section of the original creek. The dry creek bed has been extensively worked.

How is it significant?

The Blowholes Gold Diversion Tunnel is of historical and scientific importance to the State of Victoria.

Why is it significant?

The Blowholes Gold Diversion Tunnel is historically and scientifically important as a characteristic and well preserved example of an early form of gold mining. Gold mining sites are of crucial importance for the pivotal role they have played since 1851 in the development of Victoria. Water diversion and sluicing are important key ingredients in an understanding of gold mining technology as it was employed in mountainous country where water was plentiful and perennial.

[Source: Victorian Heritage Register]

Group

Mining and Mineral Processing

Category

Diversion Tunnel