There are three summits relatively close to the Western Highway from Melbourne to Ballarat. At four points each these looked like a comfortable activation trip with little or no climbing. So it proved to be. VK3/VC -032 is an unnamed summit north of Ballan in the Wombat State Forest. I exited the Western Highway at the Ballan exit and grabbed a coffee in a pleasant bakery in Ingliss Street. Continuing on, Ingliss St intersects with the C141 Ballan-Baylesford Rd. Just north oh here the C141 over-passes the M8 (Western Highway). Continuing north for 12.8km on the C141 (passing Bunding-Blakeville Rd on the right at 10.4km) and I arrived at the intersection of Spargo-Blakeville Rd, which is on the right (east). This road was unsigned, but it is easy to find — Spargo Creek Rd (which is signposted) is directly opposite on the left of the C141, and you also cannot miss the old Mineral Springs Hotel which has seen better days. Known by locals as the Korweinguboora Pub (according to this 500-word piece by the former owner’s daughter) this faded 1960s building is a shadow of its colorful history. The 1960s brick veneer beer hall hides the original Victorian building, so the history of this site goes back 100 years. More social commentary here.
VK3HN 