The Blowhole – Hepburn Regional Park

A short tunnel constructed by the miners through a sandstone ridge was used to divert the waters of Jim Crow Creek effectively cutting off a long section of the original creek.  The resultant reach of dry creek bed was extensively worked by the miners.  The Blowhole Gold Diversion Tunnel is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register and is considered to be historically and scientifically important as a characteristic and well-preserved example of an early form of gold mining. 

When the Jim Crow Creek catchment floods and exceeds the capacity of The Blowhole, the pressurised water being pushed through the Blowhole creates a spectacular site that attracts many visitors during the short periods of time when it is activated.

We have worked with Parks Victoria at the Blowhole site on a number of occasions since 1997.  During this time we have designed a range of visitor facilities including the carpark, walking tracks, elevated boardwalks for improved visitor access and safety and viewing platforms that allow for close-up viewing of the operating Blowhole.