Rubicon Historical Area

Leaders. Lorraine Pyke, Barrie Pyke, Allan Maguire and Mike Dexter.

Rubicon Hydro Power Station. After we looked around the building, our leaders told something of the history of the area, and showed photographs of the old settlement.

Le Brun Track. We then went by the Royston River Road to Le Brun Track. Southern Hydro had given us the key to the gate and we were able to drive about 4 km to the top of the old haulage. Here we could see tramway shed which still had the cable with a haulage car attached. Other items included the long pipeline and aqueduct, the rails, and a spectacular view.

Old SEC Saw Mill. We Returned to the Royston Power Station to the SEC Saw Mill where we had lunch, sitting on logs and chairs and looking towards the mill and aqueduct. It looked like we were waiting for a performance.

Allan Maguire spoke of the old days, and also about the 1939 fires. We then walked under the old trestle bridge to a wet area.

Plants along the track. included Tree Ferns, Water Ferns, Shield Ferns, Batswing Ferns, Sassafras, Mountain Pepper, Myrtle Beech, Senecio, Apple Berry, Tasman Flax-lily, Twining Glycine, Carraway, and Elderberry Panax. It was a lovely stretch of track.

Mountain Ash. Back at the old saw mill we drove back half way to a track that led to tall trees. The biggest Mountain Ash measured in 1997 had a circumference of 5.7 metres three metres above ground level. It was a great track, and cool walking under the many tall eucalypts and beside the ferns.

This was the end of a wonderful day with historical, botanical and birdwatching interest. It was enjoyed by everyone.