Red Cliffs Tour

Drive Time: 1 1/2 hours (Add time for stops)
Distance: 55km

Note: Information may change without notice. Contact the Mildura Visitor Information Centre for more information.

Leaving The Alfred Deakin Centre drive in southerly direction along Deakin Avenue, noting the splendid centre plantation - a tribute to the vision of the Chaffey's.

At the 15th Street roundabout turn left. You will notice Mildura Centre Plaza, a 7 day a week shopping centre to your left and Hudak's Bakery Café, open 7 days, to your right.

As we continue along passing the newly established homemaker centre turn right into Benetook Avenue off 15th Street, to visit Dolls on the Avenue and view a large collection of dolls and teddies from around the world. Dolls are for sale. Opening times are Monday to Friday (also school holidays and public holidays) 10am to 4pm. Off peak weekends by appointment.

Returning to 15th Street we approach the Irymple Township. On the right is the Mildura Co-operative Fruit Co Ltd., Irymple branch and the street alongside is Koorlong Avenue. If you take this road and turn left immediately, you can visit Sunbeam Dried Fruits. Tours are conducted on Mondays to Fridays 10am and 11am, and at 1:30pm Monday to Thursdays. Select from the Sunbeam product range in the sales outlet.

Continuing along Koorlong Avenue, we come to Angas Park Fruit company Promotional Centre on the left, where you can purchase a variety of dried fruits. Exquisite gift packs make an ideal gift. Opening times are Monday to Fridays 9am to 5pm and Saturdays and Public Holidays 11am to 4pm.

Returning to 15th Street we find the main street of Irymple. Travel along the Calder Highway and veer left after the Orange Spot.

Following Tourist Drive 3 signs we arrive at Alambie Wines. Alambie is open to the public Monday to Saturday 10am to 4:30pm as well as Easter Sunday and the Christmas Holidays. Cellar door sales and tastings are available.

After Alambie, we are guided back to the Calder Highway via McCracken Street and into Red Cliffs. This lovely town was a soldier settlement established after World War 1. On the left as we drive into Red Cliffs, we can see Quandong Park Recreation Complex and the lawn and hard court tennis club.

The old Red Cliffs Railway Station on our right is now Kulkyne Creations and Red Cliffs Information Centre. From here a host of tours is available on request, including Hattahh Kulkyne National Park, Nangiloc, Colignan and Mallee and Millewa districts.

Opposite is the recently opened Charanie's Doll Museum, with wonderful displays of dolls and memorabilia. Open weekends 10am to 4pm and during the by appointment.

Next to Cherannie's is the famous Big Lizzie, the large traction engine arriving in Mildura in 1917 after a 2 year trip from Melbourne. Big Lizzie was commissioned in 1920 to clear the dense Mallee in Red Cliffs. Built in 1915 it is the only machine of its kind. A coin operated 3 minute audio commentary will provide you with Big Lizzie's story.

Continue beyond Red Cliffs (toward Ouyen) where Millewa Road will be seen to the right. Here we find the Red Cliffs Steam Train and Station. The former State Rivers and Waters locomotive was built in 1901 and travels along 1.5km of narrow gauge railway line. The Train operates on the first Sunday of the month.

Retracing the drive, we are guided back to Red Cliffs and right into Indi Avenue and the main shopping area of Red Cliffs.

Crossing the channel into Nursery Ridge Road and we turn right into Ovens Avenue. At 6 Ovens Avenue is the Carringbush Gallery and Leadlight Studio, featuring original leadlight designs. Open most days from 10am to 5pm or by appointment.

Follow the signs back to Nursery Ridge Road where we turn right. Homewood Estate is further along on our right. Stephen Homfray's fine woodwork, woodturning, furniture making and restoration workshop is situated within a beautiful setting of native flowers. Admission is free. Open from 10am to 5pm Wednesdays to Sundays.

Further along Nursery Ridge Road at the T intersection turn left into Woomera Avenue. On the right after the bend we find the entrance tot the Boardwalk Car Park. Strolling along the boardwalk is a great way to relax and take in the wonderful surrounds of the Murray River and the unique red cliffs.

We now return to Woomera Avenue and follow the tourist drive signs to the Gully Car Park on the right and take a walk down to the riverfront and see the majestic red cliffs, the landmark, which gave the township of Red Cliffs its name.

From Cassia Street turn right into the Red Cliffs Scenic Reserve.

Now return to Woomera Avenue and turn right. The lookout will be found further along to the right, and from here is a splendid view of the cliffs.

Turn right into the Red Cliffs Water Treatment Plant and Pumping Station housing the largest irrigation pump in the Southern Hemisphere. Visitors are welcome at the Water treatment plant and tours are available subject to staff availability.

Leaving the pumps follow the tourist drive signage to Alma Peterson Oil Paintings, a local gallery specializing in oil paintings of the Murray River. Open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5pm, weekends by appointment.

Once again we follow the tourist drive signage, through grapevine country, you may notice drying racks, the racks are used to dry sultana, raisins and the like. Drying takes place during harvest generally from late February until late March. Driving along we return to the Calder Highway and the completion of our tour. You may decide to revisit Red Cliffs or return to Mildura.

Drive the Chaffey Trail
Drive 1 : Murray River Drive and Scenic Tour
Drive 2 : Psyche Pumps Tour
Drive 3 : Red Cliffs Tour
Drive 4 : Merbein Tour
Drive 5 : Wentworth and District Tour
Drive 6 : Trentham Estate Tour
Drive 7 : Buronga to Curlwaa Tour