Once a busy wood cutting and mining area, the One Eye State Forest is now a peaceful bushland area great for bushwalking, cycling, gold prospecting and birdwatching.
Most old mine shafts have been filled in, but some remain uncovered throughout the forest so be careful if wandering off the track. You can learn more about the dangers of mine shafts
here.
Sawpit Gully Gold Puddlers
The remnants of two puddling machines are located near Sawpit Dam (in the bushland between One Eye Road and Mud Hut Track). Along with the puddlers you can find dumps of washed gravels, patches of ground surfacing and old diggings.
Puddling machines, or "puddlers" were pioneered on the Victorian goldfields in 1854. This technology was developed as an affordable way of processing gold-bearing clay on a large scale. Puddling machines are a very significant development in the history of Victorian gold mining, as they are the only technology or method developed entirely on the
Victorian Goldfields.
Walking/cycling tracks in One Eye State Forest
- Steve's Francis and Lacey Tracks: 5-6 km loop (about 2-3 hrs)
- One Eye Road and Hill Track: 4-5 km loop (about 2 hrs)
A picnic table is located at the corner of Mia Mia-Derrinal Track and the O'Keefe Rail Trail.
Caring for the One Eye State Forest
Dogs are allowed in the One Eye State Forest if kept on a lead. All vehicles must be registered and driven only on formed roads. Drivers and riders must be licensed.
BBQ
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