The Big Lizzie at Red Cliffs

Red Cliffs
Service town in the Victorian Mallee
Red Cliffs is a very typical, medium-sized country town of some 2700 people at the northern end of Victoria's Mallee region. Its name derives, quite literally, from the colouration of the 70-metre cliffs to the east of town. Very flat with wide streets, it is located on the Calder Highway, 544 km north-west of Melbourne, 16 km south of Mildura and 67 m above sea-level. One of the country's largest irrigation pumping stations brings water from the Murray River to the district where it is put to use growing citrus fruits and grapes, largely for transformation into dried fruit.

Once occupied by the Keramin Aborigines, the area was settled by Europeans and a town was established when, in 1918, it was chosen as the site of what turned out to be the largest soldier settlement in Australia. Land was cleared for a nursery where millions of vine cuttings were grown then the 700 diggers began to arrive. They cleared the mallee scrub and cultivated vineyards with a view to establishing a dried fruit industry . In order to draw water from the Murray up over the cliffs, the Southern Hemisphere's largest pumping station was built. By 1928 it was supplying 200 km of irrigation channels.

After the Second World War, some of the original blocks were resold to the new war's veterans, although many are now owned by southern European immigrants.

The town's Folk Festival is held in July, the Country Music Festival in September and the Wine and Jazz Festival in October.

Things to see:  

Tourist Information
Tourist information is available from Kulkyne Creations at the well-restored and maintained Red Cliffs Railway Station, located on the highway. It is open from Wednesday to Sunday and all public holidays and it acts as an outlet for local craftspeople, tel: (03) 5024 2866. On Mondays and Tuesdays you can ring (03) 5024 3455.

Those interested in handcrafted leadlight work can visit Carringbush Leadlighting Studio at Block 147 Carey St, tel: (03) 5024 1140.

Big Lizzie
The large piece of machinery in Barclay Square, opposite the railway station, is known as 'Big Lizzie'. It was invented by Frank Bottrill and built at Richmond in 1914-1915. 'Lizzie' was intended to cart wool from outback stations in the Broken Hill area. Hauling two wagons (each 9.1 metres in length) the machine set off from Melbourne in 1916. It served as a home for the Bottrill family and carried its own fuel and other necessary resources.

Despite scepticism concerning its capacity to navigate the Mallee's sandhills, it reached Mildura without trouble, only to be stopped by the Murray River, which was in flood, and by the unavailability of a punt of sufficient size. Consequently the machine was used at Merbein for carting wheat (one load being 899 bags).

When land clearing at Red Cliffs began in 1920, the Victorian Government hired the machine to uproot trees. In all, it cleared 1500 ha and made an important contribution to the conversion of the area into usable land. This mechanical workhorse was then used at Balmoral from 1925-1929 after which it was abandoned until 1971 when it was purchased by Red Cliffs as a memorial to the European pioneers.

Big Lizzie is 10.7 m long, 3.4 m wide, 5.7 m high and weighs 45 tons. It was powered by a 60-horsepower, single-cylinder crude oil engine and had a carrying capacity of 80 tons. Its maximum travelling speed was about 3 km per hour and it had a turning radius of 60 m. With its two wagons attached the whole train was 30 m in length.

Cherannie's Doll Museum
Beside Big Lizzie is Cherannie's, a doll, toy and memorabilia museum which also sells antiques and souvenirs. It is open on weekends but, for bus tours, will open during the week, tel: (03) 5024 1047.

Red Cliffs Museum and Heritage Room
There is a display of war memorabilia material in the local RSL club, at the corner of Jamieson Ave and Ilex St. If you wish to see it just make your wishes known at Kulkyne Creations in the railway station, tel: (03) 5024 2866.

Historical Display
Items relating to local history have been assembled by the local historical society at the old courthouse which is a little further along Jamieson Ave. It can also be seen by contacting Kulkyne Creations.

Red Cliffs Scenic Reserve
Head east out of town along Pumps Rd which leads to the Red Cliffs Pumping Station, built from 1920-1923 to draw water from the Murray up over the cliffs and into extensive irrigation channels. At the time it was the Southern Hemisphere's largest pumping station.

Before you reach the station you will pass Woomera Rd on your right. Just past this turnoff is Cliff Top Lookout from whence there are fine views over the 70-metre cliffs which are the source of the town's name.

Backtrack to, and turn into, Woomera Rd. Along here, to the left, is Red Cliffs Scenic Reserve (21 ha) which preserves a remnant of the local landscape as it was before the soldier settlement scheme of 1920. Old middens are clear evidence of ancient Aboriginal associations with the area. There are stairways, walkways and information signs. Bushwalking, swimming and picnicking can all be enjoyed.

Continue along Woomera Rd and turn left into Cassia St to the Gully Carpark and scenic boardwalk. Head back along Cassia St which will return you to town.

Tourist Steam Railway
One kilometre south of town, on land adjacent the Calder Highway, an operational steam railway has been set up using the fully restored 1901 Lukee Skylark which hauled briquettes from the railway siding to the pumping station on the Murray River from 1924-1953, tel: (03) 5024 2262.

Lindemans Karadoc Winery
13 km east of town, along a sealed road, is Karadoc, home to the Southern Hemisphere's largest winery (110 ha). Located in Edey Rd at Karadoc (off Kulkyne Way) this state-of-the-art winery is the packaging centre for Lindeman's Australian operations. The cellar door markets a large range of reds, whites and fortified wines from 10.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. daily. A winery tour is conducted on the hour from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. on weekdays. There is a cafe, as well as barbecue and picnic facilities. A package tour operates from Mildura and a catering service for functions is also available, tel: (03) 5051 3285.

Deakin Estate (Wingara Wine Group)
Deakin Estate, established in 1981, is located south of Red Cliffs in Kulkyne Way. It produces a range of red and white varietal wines and sparkling wines and is open by appointment only. Picnic facilities are available by the lake, tel: (03) 5029 1666.

River Bends
Boating, fishing, camping, picnicking and bushwalking can also be enjoyed on the southern bank of the Murray between Karadoc (13 km east) and Colignan (36 km south-east) where red gum forest and black box woodland predominate amongst the billabongs and sandbars of the river bends. The best section is between Nangiloc (30 km south-east) and Colignan. There are emus, kangaroos, birds and plenty of wildflowers in spring. Numerous tracks take you from the Colignan Rd out to the riverbank. There is a tavern and general store at Nangiloc and Colignan has a store and some holiday units, tel: (03) 5029 1572.

Murray-Kulkyne Park
If you continue south along the River Rd it leads straight into Murray-Kulkyne Park, a small state park on the southern bank of the Murray River which adjoins the Hattah-Kulkyne Park. The bitumen soon peters out although the gravel road is manageable in a 2WD unless it is wet. This is a popular area for fishing, swimming, bushwalking and boating. Camping is permitted along the river. As it is not a national park, generators and pets are allowed. For further information ring (03) 5029 3253.

Hattah-Kulkyne National Park
Alternatively, if you wish to drive through the Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, turn left off the River Rd about 2 km south of Colignan on to Boonoonar Rd, then, after about 1 km, take the first left on to the Mournpool Track which runs through the middle of the park. This 2WD gravel road leads to Lake Mournpool campground and on to Lake Hattah campground where there is a visitor centre. Both sites have toilets, fireplaces and picnic areas. A limited amount of drinking water is available from the visitor centre and at Mournpall campground but supplies of drinking water are limited so it is advisable to bring your own. The park is best in spring and winter as it can be too hot in summer.

Hattah-Kulkyne is based around the Hattah Lakes system. River red gums dominate around the lake while other areas consist of black-box, buloke and cypress-pine woodland, and mallee scrub.

The information centre at Hattah Lake provides orientation and identifies some of the park's fauna, flora and archaeological sites. Middens, canoe trees and shield trees are evidence of Aboriginal occupation. There are kangaroos, goannas and over 200 species of birds, particularly pelicans, ibis and other waterbirds on the lakes. Emus, mallee fowl, miners and white-winged choughs can be found away from the lakes. River red gums are plentiful around the waterways while black box woodlands predominate on drier land. Cypress pine and buloke inhabit the sandy plains while mallee eucalypts flourish on the higher sandy ridges.

Motorists will enjoy the self-guided Hattah Nature Drive (near Lake Hattah). Most tracks in the park are 2WD-friendly but they may become impassable after rain (check track conditions at the visitor centre). Walkers can enjoy the Hattah Nature Walk. To access the start of the track follow the road west from Lake Hattah. Just 200 metres before it reaches the Hattah-Robinvale Rd the start of the walking trail is clearly marked (notify a ranger if you intend a longer hike as temperatures in the park can be extreme and be sure you have a map and compass). The park is also ideal for swimming, canoeing and kayaking (when water levels are sufficient), fishing for golden perch, English perch, European carp and yabbies, cycling along the river tracks, nature studies and photography.

For further information ring (03) 5029 3253 or 131 963.

Tours
Outback Magic run small 4WD charter tours into the Hattah-Kulkyne and Murray Sunset National Parks, tel: (03) 5024 2318 or (041) 831 526.

Mallee Farm
Several sites of interest are located along or off the Meringur Rd which heads west of Red Cliffs. 56 km along this road is Werrimull. Turn right here to access Lake Cullulleraine (see entry on Mildura). Turn left along the unsealed road and it is 8 km to the Mallee Farm, a working wheat station established when the land was first cleared in 1926 by the ancestors of the current owners. A hut and the original home remain from this initial period and they have been set up as a museum with memorabilia etc. There are guided tours of the museum, old equipment and property which last about 90 minutes, including a slide show and morning tea. Bed-and-breakfast accommodation is also available, tel: (03) 5028 1242.

Yarrara Reserve
70 km west of Red Cliffs, on either side of the road, is Yarrara Flora and Fauna Forest Reserve which contains a rare surviving remnant of belah woodland that has been largely cleared from the Mallee area. It is spattered with wildflowers in spring. There are designated walking tracks.

Meringur Pioneer Settlement
80 km west of Red Cliffs is Meringur where you will find the Meringur Pioneer Park, a pioneer cottage with other heritage buildings containing historical material relating to the early European settlement of the area. There is an interpretive centre, displays (including a good photographic record), barbecues, toilets and fresh water. Admission is a gold coin donation. It is open daily. For further information contact the Meringur post office, tel: (03) 5028 3300.

	Motels
	Big Lizzie Motor Inn 133 Jacaranda St Red Cliffs VIC 3496 Telephone: (03) 5024 2691 Rating: ***
	Red Cliffs Colonial Motor Lodge Calder Hwy Red Cliffs VIC 3496 Telephone: (03) 5024 1060 Facsimile: (03) 5024 3000 Rating: ****
	Hotels
	Red Cliffs Hotel Jacaranda St Red Cliffs VIC 3496 Telephone: (03) 5024 1704
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Mirrabinda Bed & Breakfast Buloke St off Cocklin Ave P.O. Box 211 Red Cliffs VIC 3496 Telephone: (03) 5024 1520 Rating: ****
	Caravan Parks
	Red Cliffs Caravan Park Calder Hwy Red Cliffs VIC 3496 Telephone: (03) 5024 2261 Rating: ***