The Blowhole, Hepburn Springs

Swimming Hole Heaven in Victoria

Timing is everything with swimming at The Blow Hole as the seasonal window for swimming is quite short. When Sailors Creek is running high and The Blowhole is blowing fierce, the swirling water at the tunnel outlet is too turbulent for swimming. When Sailors Creek is bone dry, as it usually is in summer and autumn, the pool for swimming can quickly become stagnant, contract and even dry up completely. The best swimming conditions are when water is flowing through the tunnel as a gentle, but steady flow, typically a few days to a couple of weeks after reasonable rainfall. Above: The shallow pool beneath the Blowhole (Order this image)

The pool itself is around 10 metres across in each direction, with a shallow entry point from the viewing area on the bank opposite the tunnel outlet. Diving is prohibited, as the pool can be quite shallow in parts. You can also swim or relax in the creek upstream of the tunnel, which has several large boulders to lean against, although on my last visit the walking track to access the creek here was closed.

According to information boards on site, the 20 metre tunnel was constructed in the 1870s to allow miners to fossick for gold in the dry horshoe bend that was cut off by the tunnel. Given that the creek can be naturally dry for several months of the year, the benefit of the tunnel would have been marginal, and was constructed at a time when other areas had already been picked over. If you are interested in gold mining activities in the area and want to stretch your legs, The Blowhole is located along the 160 km Goldfields Track that runs all the way from Creswick to Ballarat. Above: The riffles at the pool outlet at the Blowhole (Order this image)

This swimming hole did not make it into my top 50 swims in Victoria. The main reason being the short window for good swimming. If you are visiting, bring your swimming gear, but don't count on being able to swim every time you visit. If this is the case, just enjoy this site for the short walk and the mining history. Before you head out, make sure to read the swimming safety information and check with the managing authority for any current change of conditions. The managing authority advises for this site to not venture off designated walking trails due to the numerous concealed and fragile mine shafts and diggings in the area. The marker indicates the location of the car park at The Blowhole. If the map is not zoomed in locally, as can occur with some browsers, simply click or tap on "View Larger Map" below.
View Larger Map Here is a comment from a visitor to the Blowhole after the repair work on the track was completed in 2020:

Comment:"The Blowhole is open, lovely place to cool off and swim. Short walk on lovely new track and lookout." - Shelley from Melbourne, Australia 21/11/2020.

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