Spargo Creek Mineral Spring is set against a backdrop of native forest and pine plantations and enables you to enjoy some of the best mineral water around.
Spargo Creek Mineral Spring is set against a backdrop of native forest and pine plantations and enables you to enjoy some of the best mineral water around. Tucked away in a beautiful setting with native plants and plenty of local wildlife, it’s the perfect place to unwind and connect with nature. It shows little sign of its once bustling ‘sports days’ when over 3,000 people attended.
The spring has a free-flowing pipe in a retaining wall. Picnic tables, easy vehicle access, and parking make this an ideal day trip destination.
In 2023, two new sculptures were installed to celebrate First People’s connection to the mineral springs. One of these sculptures is known as Brim Brim, meaning springs. These artworks seek to reconnect the springs with the Moorabool River and honour the area’s cultural heritage.
The spring emerges from Ordovician strata on the northern riverbank, above the alluvial flats and 3 metres above the Moorabool River (east branch). The spring façade and surrounds were upgraded in early 2004, while the pathway was upgraded in 2021.
The Geelong Water Board built the Korweinguboora Reservoir in 1909 and discouraged the development of Spargo Creek Mineral Spring. However, requests sometimes take some time to be processed. In 1910, a small pavilion was built around the main spring, and the Mineral Springs Hotel was developed near the Ballan-Daylesford Road turn off. Whilst the building remains the hotel is now a private residence.
In 1912 the Shire of Bungaree proposed that 20 ha of forest around the springs be reserved to permit road access and sometime in 1933 it was found that a family of timber-cutters had been illegally occupying the site for 40 years. In 1935, a reserve of 2 ha was established.
In 1939–40 a grant of £100 offered work to the jobless to clean up the surrounds, surface the road and plant pine trees and toilet facilities were constructed in the reserve in 1948. However still concerned with people pollution the Geelong Water Trust had the number of days the Spargo Reserve was used for sports days reduced to two per year, and finally got their wish with toilets being removed and only parking areas, picnic tables and a gravel track to the spring remaining.
