Jim Paull & Lawson Springs - Vaughan Springs

At Vaughan Springs Day Visitor Area, located in Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park (parks.vic.gov.au) are two springs – Jim Paull and Lawson. Lawson Spring was named after Sir Harry Sutherland Wightman Lawson, MLA and State Premier 1929 – 1935.

They can be found about 200m apart on the bank of the scenic Loddon River. This charming location offers an array of amenities for families and friends to enjoy, from playgrounds to train tracks and swimming areas. Both springs offer picturesque settings for leisurely picnics amidst lush greenery, complemented by shelters, free electric barbecues, and ample grassy areas for relaxation.

On a hot day, depending on water levels, you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the historic Loddon River. Explore nearby attractions such as the Chinese cemetery, try your hand at fishing, or compare the water from the Jim Paull and Lawson Springs. Children can delight in the adventure of the giant slide and as Autumn arrives marvel at the vibrant hues of the European-inspired deciduous trees that adorn the landscape, adding a touch of seasonal magic to your visit.

If you’re feeling fit you can walk from the springs to Bendigo or Ballarat on the 210km Goldfields Track.

In the river, gas bubbles and iron staining may be seen when the river is low. More gas discharges and iron staining occur at the footbridge, downstream of the weir that was built in 1929.

In 1910 eight springs were identified by the Geological Survey in the area, of these three remain open to the public – Jim Paull, Lawson and Glenluce.

In 1925 the Geological Survey drilled three bores in the Vaughan springs area (Jim Paull, Lawson and Central). At around the same time a concrete weir was built across the Loddon which to this day creates a great swimming hole. These early bores were equipped with standpipes cemented into the solid rock and topped with semi-rotary pumps.

The glory days of Vaughan springs were possibly the late 1930s to the 1950s. On Boxing Day 1939 over 3000 people attended a sports and family day at the springs.

In 1994 the Jim Paull bore was cleaned out and refurbished. It was replaced with a new bore in 1998 and again in 2004. In 2004 a new bore was also drilled at Lawson. The bore at Jim Paull is 39m deep and at Lawson the bore is 31.5m deep.