Taradale Mineral Spring

Tucked into a picturesque valley surrounded by native forests and farmland, Taradale is dominated by the impressive Taradale Viaduct, built in 1862. The town, a former gold rush hub along the Calder Highway, has a rich history and a peaceful, idyllic environment. Nowadays, Taradale is a vibrant rural community with a mix of farmers, entrepreneurs, artists, writers, commuters, and retirees.

For visitors, there are plenty of amenities to enjoy, there are picnic and BBQ facilities perfect for a relaxed afternoon, as well as a playground for kids. Whether you're interested in the town's history, looking to enjoy the great outdoors, or just want a pleasant spot for a family picnic, Taradale has something for everyone. If you are keen for a nice walk, Taradale boasts a series of trails ranging from 1.8km up to around 7km. You can find out more about these walks here.

The mineral spring at Taradale was first discovered when mining the quartz reef systems in the bedrock at the Taradale Gold Mine, where it seeped into Back Creek near the Calder Highway. By 1928, a small area had been set aside to protect this mineral spring, which becomes gassier as you go the deeper.

At one time the flow of the Taradale Mineral Spring ceased due to the mining activity, but the gas was still present. Underground reef mining continued throughout the 1930s before coming to an end just after the Second World War.

In 1930 the Taradale Progress Association requested that the Geological Survey drill for the mineral water. One bore was drilled in the creek bed during the 1930s, and another, later equipped with a hand pump, was installed on a concrete plinth on Back Creek’s north bank. Over time the original bores no longer supplied good water so the former Victorian Mineral Water Committee decided to close them. A replacement bore, 50m deep, was drilled in 2002.

A comparison of the levels of minerals in the springs can be found here.