Fletchers Dam

Description

We will start our full day walk from your Beechworth accommodation or, if you are staying out of town, we will meet and set off from the gorgeous TINY café in Camp Street. Fletchers Dam is one of those little hard-to-get-to places that are not quite as busy as the lake in town, and appeals to those looking for something a bit further away from the hustle and bustle where it’s quiet enough to relax, gather your thoughts and forget the world for a while.

We will head towards Fletchers Dam via Lake Sambell and then follow Spring Creek and Hurdle Creek, passing Lake Kerferd and make our way into the Stanley pine forest which is the beautiful setting for the dam.

The beginning of our walk takes us past old mining sites therefore it is essential to stay on the walking tracks as many of the old mine shafts are deep and potentially dangerous. Towering Peppermint Gum trees filter the light and provide that unmistakable aroma of the Australian bush; enabling your mind to go to a quiet place so you can enjoy the here and now.

The walking track between Lake Sambell and Lake Kerford is the perfect habitat for Koalas so if you keep an eye out the chances of spotting one or two of these cute furry mammals is very high. We may also encounter wallabies, echidnas and even a wombat as we walk so keep your camera handy! Allow yourself to be one with nature; our walks are as much about the journey as the destination. This is your time out. As we walk we may hear the call of a Golden Whistler or see a flash of colour that is the Crimson Parrot as they watch our journey from above.

At the end of this bush track is the stunning Lake Kerford. For many years it has been Beechworth’s water supply so there is no swimming or boating allowed which has enabled the wildlife to flourish. It is also a favourite fishing spot for locals, not too many fish are actually caught, but the way this place makes you feel keeps them coming back fish or no fish.

Leaving Lake Kerford we will head towards Rawes Rd and proceed on for another 400 metres or so to Fletchers Dam, a hidden oasis in the Stanley Forest. The main appeal of the dam, apart from the beauty, is the fact that it’s a 100-metre square of very cold water, so in the summer months the best thing to do is swim in it! This is the local’s swimming hole; they are the ones who don’t scream out in shock when they first jump in because they already know the water is freezing no matter how hot the day is! There is a circular walk around the dam if you want to explore the water’s edge a bit further.

We will enjoy lunch in this tranquil spot before retracing our steps back to Beechworth and as we head back into town remember to take joy in the fact you have given yourself some precious down time… time to enjoy our stunning outdoors with an active body, still mind and peaceful soul. One step at a time