Image: Central Springs Reserve in Daylesford.
Almost all of Australia's mineral springs occur in Victoria and most are in the Central Highlands, concentrated mainly around Daylesford and Hepburn Springs.
The story of their discovery in Victoria is intertwined with the age of squatters, the discovery and mining of gold and the formation of a new state.
Visit the Mineral Springs of Victoria website
The discovery of Victoria’s mineral water springs dates back to before gold was discovered. In 1836 Captain Hepburn found the Hepburn Mineral Spring and, late in 1847, John Egan found Deep Creek Mineral Spring. During the gold rush, many natural mineral springs were discovered as creeks and riverbeds were worked over, mine shafts were sunk and surface areas were sluiced. As demand for timber grew, timber workers also discovered springs in stream beds.
The mineral water would have been a refreshing change from the often-polluted stream water and, when food was scarce, was mixed with fruit juice to keep hunger at bay. By the end of the 20th century, gold mining started to decline but demand for mineral water increased as the public discovered its therapeutic value. This led to an increase in guest houses. Daylesford and Hepburn Springs became very popular as a health and holiday resort, becoming more accessible when the railway was built in 1880.