Lerderderg Water Race — I Get to the End. #Lerderderg #VictorianHistory

Back into the heart of the Lerderderg—and this time, I go further in search of the old 1800's water race beginning. After 24 months of tracking down forgotten gold rush relics, I return to a 150-year-old water race hidden deep within the rugged terrain of the Lerderderg River. On my last attempt, washouts, landslips, and relentless slick river boulders forced me to turn back… but with better conditions, I’m back to push deeper along the line and uncover more of what time has tried to erase. This historic water race is an awesome feat of 1800s engineering—stretching along steep gullies and fed by over 20km of creeks, draining a catchment of roughly 12 square kilometers. Built to supply water to remote Lerderderg river gold mining operations, it still clings to the landscape in ways that feel almost impossible today. In this episode, I follow the race further than before—walking longer, more intact sections that have survived the test of time, revealing just how extensive and well-built this system once was. For the first time, I’m able to link together sections that were previously cut off, making it to the end of the line. Expect: Extended sections of preserved water race carved into the hillside Remote, off-track hiking through untouched bushland Steep terrain with fewer interruptions than the first attempt New ground covered as I push closer to the end This isn’t just a hike… it’s a continuing journey into history.