A few weeks back I took advantage of some clear weather to take a trip out to Chillagoe to visit some historical ruins – the smelter’s works. This post is about that trip.

First port of call was to work out a route. I had decided to travel to Chillagoe via Irvinebank but aside from that the rest was undecided. A quick stop at Google Maps and I had a route:

Trip link – no MyTracks link this time (I forgot to enable it on my phone..)

First stop Irvinebank – the road is quite scenic and has a few twisty sections to keep it interesting.

Along the way you pass through Watsonville – blink and you’ll miss it..

Onto a short dirt stint. One day I might slow down for the tarmac/dirt transitions..

I intend on exploring out here a bit more – there are trails off the side of the road everywhere!

Onwards to Irvinebank. The best description I could give would be quaint but it certainly has a nice, relaxed vibe.

105km to Chillagoe via a narrow dirt track

Powerslides are quite easy on the loose marble surface. That’s what I would imagine anyhow…

Regular readers of the blog would probably notice that the country in these photos is quite a bit more ‘arid’ than that which we have travelled so far.

Spotted a few wild horses..

Apparently this route was part of an old Cobb & Co coach run.

Quite a few loose rocks to catch you out if you lapse concentration.

Spot the big green  smiling rock.

Pub and post office  – yep must be here! I didn’t spend much time in Chillagoe as I was short on time but if you’re curious there is some links on Wikipedia. With a population of 227 it is a pretty small place.

Reached my destination – Chillagoe Smelter’s works. Back in it’s heydey during the late 1800s and early 1900s this site was the largest smelter’s works in the state. Judging by what remains this must have been a very impressive sight at it’s peak! Further information here & here.

Visible in this photo are two of the remaining three chimneys. It is hard to get a sense of scale in these photos but the largest chimney is over 100m tall.

Looking over the slag pile.

I have no idea what this was for but it certainly caught my attention.

That concludes the trip – I don’t have any photos of the return trip as the GoPro went flat at this point but I returned after dark. The run through the mountains near Ravenshoe was spectacular as always so I guess I’ll have to revisit it so I can get some photos to share

Until then,
Brogan.