Ballan Mineral Springs, Victoria, Australia

## Overview Ballan Mineral Springs is a historic natural mineral spring located on the eastern bank of the East Branch of the Moorabool River, approximately 5 km west of the Ballan township in Victoria, Australia. With a rich history stretching back to the 1870s, this spring has been a source of naturally carbonated mineral water for over 150 years and remains a fascinating destination for mineral water enthusiasts and history buffs alike. The story of Ballan Mineral Springs is closely tied to the Gunsser family, who harnessed the spring's mineral water and natural carbon dioxide to produce cordials, soft drinks, and aerated waters. Gunsser Spring was used to produce soda water at their factory between the 1870s and 1910s. The family also utilised nearby Ballan Shaws Spring, where carbon dioxide was extracted and used to charge soft drinks. A small quantity of mineral water was also bottled and preserved. Three Gunsser brothers — Albert, Edwin, and a third — established the Ballan Cordial Factory in 1909 on Inglis Street. The business reached its peak during the 1920s but was eventually forced to close due to fierce competition from larger bottling operations in Ballarat. Notably, the spring's low flow rate meant the Gunssers were able to collect more carbon dioxide than water — a testament to the highly carbonated nature of the mineral water here. Their drinks were sold in a variety of distinctive bottle styles, including lightning stoppers, Codd and Lamont patent bottles, and Crown Seal "skittles" — flat-bottomed, torpedo-style bottles. After years of negotiations with local landowners, a small reserve of approximately two acres (about 1 hectare) encompassing the Ballan Mineral Spring was opened to the public in December 1935. In the 1980s, Ludol Bottlers (Allan and John Gilbert) extracted mineral water from a bore drilled north of the spring, with the last extraction occurring in 1987. Geologically, the springs emerge from Castlemanian to middle Ordovician (Darriwillian) rocks. The spring sits on the eastern side of an anticline, where the beds dip at approximately 70° to the east. The surrounding Ordovician rock includes black shales, coarse feldspathic sandstones, and grits. Permian glacial tillites are visible on the hill just west of the spring, and several small mine shafts — including the intriguingly named "Navies Venture" shaft — were sunk into the Ordovician strata near the spring. The geology of the area was detailed by Foster in 1931 (Gorong parish geological map) and 1937 (Moorabool West Parish geological map). ## Directions 1. From the Ballan Post Office in the centre of Ballan, head west. 2. Travel approximately 5 km to the **Bostock Reservoir picnic site**. 3. The mineral spring reserve is located in the southeast corner of Crown Allotment 25, Section II, Parish of Gorong. 4. The developed spring eye is situated approximately 50 metres north of **Shaws Road**, on the eastern bank of the East Branch of the Moorabool River. 5. **GPS coordinates:** -37.60705, 144.192574 ## What to Expect The Ballan Mineral Springs reserve features a pleasant riverside setting with several points of interest. Two timber pavilions (rotundas) are located approximately 40 m and 60 m north of Shaws Road on the western bank of the stream. A gravel path runs low to the ground between the rotundas, crossing the river. The main spring eye is on the eastern bank of the stream, enclosed within a low brick and concrete-rendered structure. Inside the small sump, a pipe at the base delivers mineral water. The water has historically been described as naturally carbonated, and visitors can observe gas bubbling up through the stream bed in several areas. A distinctive ferruginous (iron-rich) precipitate creates an iridescent film on the surface of the water — a natural phenomenon caused by dissolved iron oxidising on contact with air. The reserve underwent significant redevelopment in 2008, when a new bore was drilled on the eastern bank just a few metres from the original spring eyes. During this redevelopment, an older bore that had been fitted with a standpipe and hand pump was capped and the pump removed. Additional rotundas were built over the site of this older bore. The spring is situated within the scenic Bostock Reservoir picnic area, making it a worthwhile stop for a leisurely visit. The mineral water here has historically been valued for its carbonation and mineral content, though visitors should note that water quality can vary and independent testing is recommended before consumption. The surrounding landscape offers a glimpse into both the geological and industrial heritage of the region.