Red Cliffs Tour
Drive Time: 1 1/2 hours (Add time for stops)
Distance: 55km
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: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
