High Country Life

Glen Wills was once home to an intensive gold and tin mining activity during the 1880s and 90s, and today features scattered hamlets as well as the Glen Wills Cemetery as its primary features.

An Omeo Highway drive will bring you to an unpaved carpark from which a track designed for mountain goats leads directly up to Yellow Girl and Maude, yellow mountain goats that inhabit this region of Australia.

Sunnyside

Omeo lies approximately 97 km north-west of Bruthen and 400 km northeast of Melbourne via Princes and Omeo Highways, making it accessible via Princes Highway or Omeo Highway respectively. Although today unassuming in appearance, its goldmining past has left an indelible imprint upon its landscape and built heritage – well known Australian novelist Rolf Boldrewood described Omeo district as being “roughest in Australia”.

Omeo was home to several significant mining reefs, with Yellow Girl becoming active as early as 1891 and eventually producing up to 42 oz/ton of alluvial gold ore. Over time however, alluvial gold production dwindled, prompting diversification within local economies such as cattle and sheep farming as well as modern industrial and retirement sectors.

The area was an active centre for tin (and later gold) mining during the 1890s, continuing slowly through to the 20th Century. Although over-estimation and access problems dampened prospects of finding something comparable to what had been found at Broken Hill, its lode had never quite lived up to expectations.

Goldfields workers had to pay a license fee and mine on Crown land with permission from either the government or Commissioner of Mines, the latter of whom played an immensely powerful role on Victorian goldfields; his approval or disapproval could make or break an individual digger’s fortunes. Due to such unwieldy bureaucracy combined with low quality gold deposits, protests such as Eureka Stockade arose frequently on these waters.

Today, little evidence remains of this once vibrant mining community apart from a bluestoned bridle track which runs through an old cemetery on the south side of Snowy Creek. This graveyard serves as an emotional reminder of all those lost during gold rushes.

Glen Valley

Glen Valley was an early and often prolific mining hub during the 19th and early 20th centuries, and some even believed its tin lode could outshone Broken Hill. Unfortunately, further geological analysis disproved these claims.

Glen Valley lies roughly midway between Mitta Mitta and Omeo in north-eastern Victoria’s High Country region. All that remains of Glen Valley today is its iconic Broad Arrow Tavern – known for serving cold beer and famous “Broady burgers”.

Glen Park Greenway, a community-driven project which champions, transforms, and activates public spaces using grassroots activism and innovative partnerships, plays an essential role in reflecting the enduring strength and unique character of this unique neighborhood.

The Greenway follows one branch of Islais Creek, so named due to the presence of the hollyleaf cherry (Prunus ilicifolia) that once thrived there. Islais was an extremely important watershed in Yerba Buena, draining over 5,000 acres. Archaeological studies have also uncovered many sites associated with early miners who used this route.

Charles Harvey Spencer devised a plan in the early 1900s to extract gold from Glen Canyon by dredging riverbed sediment using an amalgamator and dredging process. Although some tin and gold was recovered, mercury costs far outweighed any potential value gained, eventually forcing his company into bankruptcy.

Prospectors employed various tools when prospecting for gold, including wide tin pans, pickaxes, shovels, spades, trowels, iron wedges, crowbars and metal buckets. Prospectors typically worked in informal bands of three to six people who shared profits as well as domestic duties like cooking. Gold continues to be found today within Greenway area. SML Corporation conducted field reconnaissance in this region recently and discovered many historic workings containing rock chip assays up to 26.1 grams per tonne!

Mount Wills

Glen Wills offers peace and relaxation away from mobile phones, computers and modern life in general. Just an hour’s drive from Omeo or Walhalla you will discover this peaceful High Country retreat which allows you to completely unplug – breathe in fresh mountain air while gazing upon stars, or do as little or as much as desired!

There’s an impressive European history here, with big towns established during the 19th century both at Glen Wills and Sunnyside on Mount Bogong’s eastern flanks – Glen Wills being located below and Sunnyside being up at its summit ridge – as well as exploration and mining activities that extended right up to its summit ridge itself, with waterways constructed specifically to transport water for mines. At first glance now, however, the region seems remote and wild – an ideal place to find peace.

Take the effort to visit this special spot – either winter or spring when snow covers or leaves have just bloomed – and you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of higher peak country to the south, particularly of Mount Bogong itself, as well as of Snowy Mountains and of Mount Kosciusko itself. Reaching its summit should not be difficult either – there are several flat(ish) platforms along rocky outcrops for camping purposes!

The iconic Australian Alps Walking Track passes through here, with many bushwalkers taking part in stages from Glen Wills Wilderness Retreat as their base. Some also choose to turn this trek into a winter trek and take advantage of all that Glen Wills offers in terms of skiing opportunities.

From 1860-1890s, Mt Wills was home to several gold reefs mined here and during the tin boom that ensued it looked as though Mt Wills might spark another rush, however when its grades proved unsuitable mining eventually switched back to gold mining.

Mt Wills is a broad ridge with gentle folds of gullies at its base, covered by open Snow Gum woodland with big old trees scattered among grasses and flowers, boasting granite outcrops that make for an extraordinary landscape to discover on foot.

Mitta Mitta

Mitta Mitta is located amidst Victoria’s breathtaking alpine wilderness and serves as a starting point for The Australian Alpine Walking Track, stretching for 655km between Walhalla in the south to Canberra in the north, following the Great Dividing Range. Walkers can complete it gradually over several stages by staying at Wilderness Retreats such as Glen Wills Wilderness Retreat before stopping off at towns for food and accommodation along the route.

Glen Valley area’s gold and tin mining boom from 1880s-1890s seems only distantly remembered today, leaving behind only stark chimneys and timber frames as reminders of a bustling high country community.

Glen Wills is only a short drive from Mitta Mitta, offering access to its charming town. Although Mitta Mitta does not provide accommodation or services, its surrounding wilderness areas provide many camping and cooking options using your own supplies. Magorra Caravan Park can also provide camping/caravan sites nearby.

Further east is the site of an old smeltery, now transformed into a museum housing some fascinating artefacts. You can continue towards Glen Valley via The Knocker Track – a bumpy and rocky ride with steep ascent up The Knocker before long descent towards Hinnomunjie Bridge site which narrowly avoided destruction during 2003 bushfires. The Hinnomunjie Bridge itself is one of the oldest remaining timber bridges in Victorian high country; narrowly escaping destruction during that year alone!

Town is well-renowned as an epic fly fishing mecca. The upper Mitta Mitta River lies within Alpine National Park and Scottie reported being thrilled that trophy brown trout were being caught despite low water levels.

Mitta Mitta boasts an exceptional culture of volunteerism. According to the 2021 census, 35% of its population participates in some capacity in some organization or other; it operates its own CFA and SES branches along with an Ambulance Community Officer service.