This was originally a trigonometrical station used to map Victoria in the 19th century. There have been several towers, the first being a simple pole with hand and foot holds. The present tower was erected in 2002.
Fine views can be seen in every direction from the platforms - the Grampians, the Pyrenees, Mount Buninyong and the Western Plains. In the early 1900s the Tower Reserve was used as a park with gardens laid out. This was a popular picnic spot for the locals. The Old Lintonians always held a picnic here as part of their Easter reunions. The photo on your screen is of the Old Lintonians reunion at Flagstaff Hill, c. 1916.
A short walk down the bush path will take you through native vegetation where flowers and orchids can be found in Spring, culminating in another great view over the countryside.
Return to the highway and carefully cross diagonally to Flagstaff Ridge Road (turn left then almost immediately turn right). Follow the road for about 3 kilometres to the intersection with Jack’s Road and turn sharp right. Cross over the Ballarat-Skipton rail trail after about 200 metres and drive along through farmland and bush for a further 1.1. kilometres, until you come to the intersection with the Linton-Mortchup Road. Turn right to drive back towards Linton.
In the nineteenth century, this area was alive with gold prospectors, camping and working. In the surrounding bush you will notice small holes and depressions, old house footings, dam walls, and other remains of this community of gold miners. You will notice there are few trees with large trunks, most of this bushland is regrowth forest. The area was cleared by the early settlers, with timber being used for houses, heating and underground pit props.
