A SHARED pathway recently opened in the small tourist orientated town of Eldorado is a boon for locals and visitors alike.
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In the past, visitors and locals were forced to walked on the road edge in the township’s main street.
But the shared pathway now doubles as a connection between tourist attractions and a footpath in the town, which is located about 23 kilometres from Wangaratta.
The town’s name was derived from an early drover - Captain William Fury Baker – who named his Reedy Creek property “El Dorado”.
The path covers 2.5 kilometres from the historic dredge to the museum operated by the community.
The museum’s collection covers the history of the town including, mining and farming.
In 2010, Wangaratta council ran a community consultation process at Eldorado which resulted in the suggestion of the pathway.
There were about 20 ideas put forward from the community, but eventually the pathway got top priority.
Eldorado Business Group president Don Stewart had discussions with the council.
Mr Stewart, a graphic designer, did a presentation with the selling point being the benefit to tourism and the community.
Funding was provided through tourism grants with suppert from the member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy.
A total of $220,000 was spent on the pathway and another $200,000 on upgrading the town’s Gunhouse Park.
There was a solid mud brick building in the park which was renovated with a disability toilet and showers installed.
The pathway joins other walking tracks eminating in and around the township.
Mr Stewart said the area is being promoted at the Eldorado and Woolshed Valley region.
In the past 10 years, the number of day trippers has increased significant.
One of the main attractions is walking trails and another mountain biking.
There are eight businesses in the town which has about 200 residents.
“Eldorado has turned the corner. It is a pretty little place now,” Mr Stewart said.
