Saint Bathans’ Blue Lake

Saint Bathans’ Blue Lake. On my way to spend a few days on the farm last week, I took SH 85 and drove past this quiet, historic town, to see this man-made lake which was the result of sluicing operations when gold mining began there in 1873. The sluicing process formed a 68 metre deep hole from what was a 120 metre hill and by 1933, it was getting too close to the town, so it was filled in with water. Apparently an abundance of minerals gives it the turquoise colour - it’s worth the side trip.