Eganstown - Deep Creek Spring
Deep Creek Mineral Spring was first recorded by John Egan in 1847. He is also credited with the discovery of gold at Eganstown and nearby Wombat Flat in 1851. The mining and sluicing activities that ensued markedly changed the surrounding landscape.
1904: The Shire of Creswick sets aside an area around the mineral spring to protect it. By 1906 a concrete wall had been built around the spring to collect and bottle the spring water and emanating gas.
1907: A 16.2-hectare reserve was established.
1910: The Crystal Spring Mineral Company began bottling operations - through various companies had bottled water here before then. Later the spring assumed the name of Deep Creek Mineral Spring.
1918–1951: The company O.T. Limited is licensed to bottle the spring water, calling it “Deep Spring.”
1965–1980s: Cook and Egan extract the water, delivering it locally in large metal canisters, then, in 1971, in tankers carrying 1000 and 2500 gallons.
1986: Coca-Cola Amatil took over the pumping of the mineral water and in 2005 they begin using an image of the old pump house on its 'Deep Springs' mineral water labels.
2006: Parks Victoria acquired the pump house and bridge from John Quinlan (a nephew of John Egan) and becomes the Land Manager.
2022: A new 35m deep bore was drilled at this location and the new spring officially opened on 29 July. The historic mineral spring pipe under the bridge was permanently closed due to recurring water quality issues.
Facilities
At the carpark there are two unshaded tables.
How To Get There
From Daylesford head towards Ballarat on the Midland Highway for 6.8km. Turn right into Deep Spring Road and follow the track 0.9km to the car park. Walk 120m down the gravel path to the creek beside a steep gully. There is an old bridge to a pump building but that is blocked due to disrepair. On the side of the road is the spring which has a hand pump.
There are steps down to an unshaded table beside the creek. The setting of the spring, pump house and creek is lovely.
Access for Dogs:
Dogs are permitted on leash.
Photos:
Location
Deep Spring Road, Eganstown 3461 View Map
