In an area founded on gold then settled on the wealth of golden grain, Smeaton is one of a number of hamlets dotted across these western plains of Victoria. Built in 1861 Anderson’s Mill at Smeaton served the community until 1959. Now preserved by Parks Victoria the mill, its huge metal water wheel, the office, the Anderson house and all of the outbuildings are in excellent condition.
There is an old wooden bridge spanning Birch Creek, a rather grand bluestone bridge and a picnic perfect park of shady oak trees nearby. It doesn’t take much to imagine what life was like here in the nineteenth century.
itchingforhitching 
As an ex mason, I enjoy seeing the stone and brickwork.
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What a wonderful skill. The thing that I love seeing is dry stone walls. We don’t have a lot here but the ones we do have stood the test of time.
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Yes, random stonework is the most interesting. All stone masons have their own style and one can often tell where one mason’s work leaves off and another’s begins.
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I remember visiting the mill when it was privately owned by my father’s best friend. They had come out from Europe together.
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That would have been fascinating.
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Dry stone walls are absolutely enchanting. Have you seen the ones out past Colac/Camperdown?
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Oh yes, I love them
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