Car Museums & places to visit in north western Victoria
1. Mildura Holden Motor Museum
Holden legacy - A great attraction in Buronga, NSW.
The entire collaboration of the Mildura Holden Motor Museum is the result of one man’s passion and love for Holden cars. What was once an un-realistic aspiration has now become the legacy of Mr Ron Morello that many others can view and appreciate.
Ron's obsession started over thirty five years ago when the successful earthmoving contractor was called out to quote a job for his neighbour to clear the land and prepare for construction. He was given strict instructions that “everything must go” including a 48-215 (better known as the FX) in pristine condition tucked away in a storage shelter with the keys still in the ignition. As soon as Ron crushed the shelter, including the car - he realised what he’d done. “I’m still wondering to this day what possessed me to crush such a beautiful car.”
In 1975, still suffering the guilt from crushing the FX a few years earlier, Ron started to look for the same model Holden to buy. He kept his eye on the papers and in January 1981, as luck would have it, he brought an original local FX Holden sedan, blue in colour with only 42,000 miles on the clock and in excellent condition.
Ron was extremely fortunate to have been able to enjoy the Museum for nine months. Sadly on the 24th June 2017, Ron succumb to a lengthy battle of aggressive cancer and passed away peacefully knowing his life long dream had materialised.
There are approximately thirty vehicles on display to see and is a great place to bring the family and have a coffee in the cafe. Choose from a range of hot pastries, sandwiches, toasted focaccia’s, cakes, slices, cookies, cold drinks and ice creams.
www.milduraholdenmuseum.com.au
Holden announces October deadline for end of Australian car production
Address: 58 West Road, Buronga, NSW, near the Mildura border. Phone: 0408 830 989
Contact the Manager Kayleen for more information or email [email protected]
Opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 - 4:00 each day. Public holidays are subject to change.
The entire collaboration of the Mildura Holden Motor Museum is the result of one man’s passion and love for Holden cars. What was once an un-realistic aspiration has now become the legacy of Mr Ron Morello that many others can view and appreciate.
Ron's obsession started over thirty five years ago when the successful earthmoving contractor was called out to quote a job for his neighbour to clear the land and prepare for construction. He was given strict instructions that “everything must go” including a 48-215 (better known as the FX) in pristine condition tucked away in a storage shelter with the keys still in the ignition. As soon as Ron crushed the shelter, including the car - he realised what he’d done. “I’m still wondering to this day what possessed me to crush such a beautiful car.”
In 1975, still suffering the guilt from crushing the FX a few years earlier, Ron started to look for the same model Holden to buy. He kept his eye on the papers and in January 1981, as luck would have it, he brought an original local FX Holden sedan, blue in colour with only 42,000 miles on the clock and in excellent condition.
Ron was extremely fortunate to have been able to enjoy the Museum for nine months. Sadly on the 24th June 2017, Ron succumb to a lengthy battle of aggressive cancer and passed away peacefully knowing his life long dream had materialised.
There are approximately thirty vehicles on display to see and is a great place to bring the family and have a coffee in the cafe. Choose from a range of hot pastries, sandwiches, toasted focaccia’s, cakes, slices, cookies, cold drinks and ice creams.
www.milduraholdenmuseum.com.au
Holden announces October deadline for end of Australian car production
Address: 58 West Road, Buronga, NSW, near the Mildura border. Phone: 0408 830 989
Contact the Manager Kayleen for more information or email [email protected]
Opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 - 4:00 each day. Public holidays are subject to change.
2. Pioneer Settlement - Swan Hill, Victoria
History
In 1962, Swan Hill community members and senior members of the State Government decided to explore the possibility of purchasing the PS Gem (paddle steamer) for Swan Hill to use as an art gallery, and as the beginnings of an open air, living history museum.
They planned to build a Mallee town to display their Gem and needed some buildings – and they got them. Some were donated by locals who wanted to help, others were built for specific purposes. Slowly a town grew – imitating the growth of the true towns of the Swan Hill region.
As the town grew, locals and visitors saw a possible home for their own loved but redundant items. At the same time, staff scoured the countryside – as far afield as South Australia and Queensland – for objects to help them get closer to their goal of recreating a lost, living past.
Horse drawn farming equipment was sourced, and plans were soon afoot to follow overseas examples of growing crops and keeping livestock in the old fashioned way. Paddocks were fenced on Pental Island and machinery was demonstrated as the first step in that project.
Other large machinery like traction engines, tractors and stationary engines was also sourced, supporting the storyline of the development of the Mallee from wilderness to civilisation
In 1966 the Pioneer Settlement was ready to be opened to the public and they came, in ever increasing numbers. By the 1970s, the Pioneer Settlement was one of the most popular tourism destinations in Victoria, if not Australia. People from around the country flocked to see what the people of Swan Hill had wrought at Horseshoe Bend on the Little Murray.
River Cruise
A cruise on the historic Pyap paddle steamer is a memorable experience. The Pyap departs from Horseshoe Bend Wharf daily, cruising along the Murray, past Murray Downs Marina and the historic Murray Downs Homestead.
Laser, sound and light show
Heartbeat of the Murray is an award winning, world class, 360 degree, multi-media spectacular that has to be seen to believed. An exhilarating display which takes you through the ages to experience the Murray River's amazing story from the prehistoric era to the present day. It's an event not to be missed, showing nightly after dark.
Paragon Cafe
The Paragon Cafe is the place for lunch or a snack, with light lunches, tea and coffee, milkshakes and spiders.
Visitors map link location below
Allow an hour or more to soak up the sights, sounds, and experiences of this unique settlement. Visitors can be driven around the Pioneer Settlement in a vintage car, and also go for a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.
In 1962, Swan Hill community members and senior members of the State Government decided to explore the possibility of purchasing the PS Gem (paddle steamer) for Swan Hill to use as an art gallery, and as the beginnings of an open air, living history museum.
They planned to build a Mallee town to display their Gem and needed some buildings – and they got them. Some were donated by locals who wanted to help, others were built for specific purposes. Slowly a town grew – imitating the growth of the true towns of the Swan Hill region.
As the town grew, locals and visitors saw a possible home for their own loved but redundant items. At the same time, staff scoured the countryside – as far afield as South Australia and Queensland – for objects to help them get closer to their goal of recreating a lost, living past.
Horse drawn farming equipment was sourced, and plans were soon afoot to follow overseas examples of growing crops and keeping livestock in the old fashioned way. Paddocks were fenced on Pental Island and machinery was demonstrated as the first step in that project.
Other large machinery like traction engines, tractors and stationary engines was also sourced, supporting the storyline of the development of the Mallee from wilderness to civilisation
In 1966 the Pioneer Settlement was ready to be opened to the public and they came, in ever increasing numbers. By the 1970s, the Pioneer Settlement was one of the most popular tourism destinations in Victoria, if not Australia. People from around the country flocked to see what the people of Swan Hill had wrought at Horseshoe Bend on the Little Murray.
River Cruise
A cruise on the historic Pyap paddle steamer is a memorable experience. The Pyap departs from Horseshoe Bend Wharf daily, cruising along the Murray, past Murray Downs Marina and the historic Murray Downs Homestead.
Laser, sound and light show
Heartbeat of the Murray is an award winning, world class, 360 degree, multi-media spectacular that has to be seen to believed. An exhilarating display which takes you through the ages to experience the Murray River's amazing story from the prehistoric era to the present day. It's an event not to be missed, showing nightly after dark.
Paragon Cafe
The Paragon Cafe is the place for lunch or a snack, with light lunches, tea and coffee, milkshakes and spiders.
Visitors map link location below
Allow an hour or more to soak up the sights, sounds, and experiences of this unique settlement. Visitors can be driven around the Pioneer Settlement in a vintage car, and also go for a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.
Unique settings for unique events
With beautiful river frontage and historic surrounds, the Pioneer Settlement is the ideal location for weddings, birthdays, Christmas parties and corporate functions. Contact the events manager for more information.
Email: [email protected]
Location and open times
125 Monash Dr, Swan Hill VIC 3585
Toll free 1800 981 911 Phone (03) 5036 2410
9.30am - 4.30pm every day. Closed Christmas and Boxing Day.
www.pioneersettlement.com.au/tickets www.pioneersettlement.com.au/experiences/map
www.pioneersettlement.com.au www.pioneersettlement.com.au/experiences/by-night.
Note: Information and two photos were provided by the Manager in February 2024.
With beautiful river frontage and historic surrounds, the Pioneer Settlement is the ideal location for weddings, birthdays, Christmas parties and corporate functions. Contact the events manager for more information.
Email: [email protected]
Location and open times
125 Monash Dr, Swan Hill VIC 3585
Toll free 1800 981 911 Phone (03) 5036 2410
9.30am - 4.30pm every day. Closed Christmas and Boxing Day.
www.pioneersettlement.com.au/tickets www.pioneersettlement.com.au/experiences/map
www.pioneersettlement.com.au www.pioneersettlement.com.au/experiences/by-night.
Note: Information and two photos were provided by the Manager in February 2024.
3. Flying Boat Museum - Lake Boga, Victoria
History
Lake Boga was an integral part of allied defence during World War II, with a facility that helped to keep Australia safe – the No.1 Flying Boat Repair Depot.
Following the Japanese attacks on Broome in 1942, resulting in the loss of 16 flying boats, the establishment of a safe haven for flying boats and amphibians was deemed “Essential to the Defence of Australia.” - “South and inland” were prerequisites.
Inspections of Lake Boga and Kangaroo Lake were made, Lake Boga being the preferred site as it was an ideal stretch of water for the flying boats and amphibious aircraft because it was almost circular (offering unlimited choice of landing/take off direction) and free of obstructions.
The required infrastructure was already in place, vacant land around its foreshore, an adjacent railhead and highway, electricity from Swan Hill and telecommunication.
A requisition of property, "Priority A1" was signed on 1st April, 1942. It had been decided to "build Lake Boga”. Multiple sites were required. The repair depot itself with workshops and hangars (on the foreshore), a stores area (on railway land near the Depot), living quarters (west of the township), sick quarters (at Castle Donnington), first-aid and dental post (on the foreshore), a radio transmitting station (on the Depot site) and a VHF transmitting station (west of the township). Construction started immediately.
June 28th, 1942 saw the arrival of the first RAAF personnel under the command of F/Lt. G.S. Moffatt and on July 12th, 1942, the arrival of the first Catalina flying boat carrying a quantity of stores and equipment was flown in from Rathmines, N.S.W. Hangar construction had just begun. The design, an open-fronted, grandstand type hangar with a cantilevered canopy.
Eight large steel-framed structures were erected, 120 feet wide by 58 feet deep. These were to be followed by structures to house activities such as administration, signals & cypher, airframe repair, electroplating, engine/hydraulics repair, drafting, metal work, photography, stores, armament repair, propeller testing, machining, crew rooms, control tower.
The first Catalina to be serviced at Lake Boga was A24-17, which carried a crew of four, plus 12 personnel on posting from Rathmines in New South Wales, arriving August 5th, 1942.
During the Depot’s wartime life personnel undertook large volumes of work. 416 aircraft were serviced, repaired, restored, rebuilt or overhauled. These aircraft included Catalina, Dornier, Sikorsky KingFisher, Sunderland, Walrus and Martin Mariner.
In the five years of Depot life, there were more than 1050 aircraft arrivals/departures and an estimated 800 test flights (plus associated “unofficial aerobatics”). In addition to RAAF aircraft, many allied flying boats used the Lake Boga Depot for repairs, including those of the United States of America and the Netherlands.
At peak operation 39 Officers, 802 Airmen and 102 WAAAF’s staffed the depot. The depot at Lake Boga closed in November of 1947.
The Museum
The idea of building a memorial to the service men and women who had been stationed at the No.1 Flying Boat Repair Depot at Lake Boga during World War II was first discussed by a few local Lake Boga Lions Club members over a few beers at the local pub in 1983.
From this humble beginning, countless volunteer hours, 'blood, sweat and tears' and many more beers, the 'dream' finally came to conclusion when the modern hangar which houses a restored Catalina and other exhibits was officially opened on 21st April, 2012.
The aircraft on display is a Catalina PBY5, A24-30. It depicts the type and size of aircraft that were used as patrol bombers during World War II and was built in the USA by the Consolidated Aircraft Company. It was originally a Netherlands aircraft that was adopted by the Royal Australian Air Force in 1942 and given the registered number A24–30. After the war it was sold to Kingsford Smith Airlines, who used it for spare parts.
The body was sent to Lake Boga for scrap, but it was purchased by a local farmer and taken to Nyah. The farmer used some parts but left the rest lying under a tree for forty years. His family donated it to the Lake Boga Lions Club who has painstakingly assembled and semi-restored it to something of its former glory.
Attractions and Cafe
The Flying Boat Museum boasts a large collection of war memorabilia, books and machinery and a camouflage cinema. Visitors can also search their loved one's service history. The underground bunker showcases a range of communication devices used during WWII and visitors can practice their Morse code.
The Catalina Grill House is now open, and you can eat inside or sit outside amongst the trees with lake views.
Open Hours and location
03 5037 2850
www.flyingboat.org.au
Email: [email protected]
12 Willakool Drive, LAKE BOGA VIC 3584
Open everyday from 9am - 4pm Excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day.
Note: Information was provided by the Manager in February 2024. Photos created by Cartalk Australia.
Lake Boga was an integral part of allied defence during World War II, with a facility that helped to keep Australia safe – the No.1 Flying Boat Repair Depot.
Following the Japanese attacks on Broome in 1942, resulting in the loss of 16 flying boats, the establishment of a safe haven for flying boats and amphibians was deemed “Essential to the Defence of Australia.” - “South and inland” were prerequisites.
Inspections of Lake Boga and Kangaroo Lake were made, Lake Boga being the preferred site as it was an ideal stretch of water for the flying boats and amphibious aircraft because it was almost circular (offering unlimited choice of landing/take off direction) and free of obstructions.
The required infrastructure was already in place, vacant land around its foreshore, an adjacent railhead and highway, electricity from Swan Hill and telecommunication.
A requisition of property, "Priority A1" was signed on 1st April, 1942. It had been decided to "build Lake Boga”. Multiple sites were required. The repair depot itself with workshops and hangars (on the foreshore), a stores area (on railway land near the Depot), living quarters (west of the township), sick quarters (at Castle Donnington), first-aid and dental post (on the foreshore), a radio transmitting station (on the Depot site) and a VHF transmitting station (west of the township). Construction started immediately.
June 28th, 1942 saw the arrival of the first RAAF personnel under the command of F/Lt. G.S. Moffatt and on July 12th, 1942, the arrival of the first Catalina flying boat carrying a quantity of stores and equipment was flown in from Rathmines, N.S.W. Hangar construction had just begun. The design, an open-fronted, grandstand type hangar with a cantilevered canopy.
Eight large steel-framed structures were erected, 120 feet wide by 58 feet deep. These were to be followed by structures to house activities such as administration, signals & cypher, airframe repair, electroplating, engine/hydraulics repair, drafting, metal work, photography, stores, armament repair, propeller testing, machining, crew rooms, control tower.
The first Catalina to be serviced at Lake Boga was A24-17, which carried a crew of four, plus 12 personnel on posting from Rathmines in New South Wales, arriving August 5th, 1942.
During the Depot’s wartime life personnel undertook large volumes of work. 416 aircraft were serviced, repaired, restored, rebuilt or overhauled. These aircraft included Catalina, Dornier, Sikorsky KingFisher, Sunderland, Walrus and Martin Mariner.
In the five years of Depot life, there were more than 1050 aircraft arrivals/departures and an estimated 800 test flights (plus associated “unofficial aerobatics”). In addition to RAAF aircraft, many allied flying boats used the Lake Boga Depot for repairs, including those of the United States of America and the Netherlands.
At peak operation 39 Officers, 802 Airmen and 102 WAAAF’s staffed the depot. The depot at Lake Boga closed in November of 1947.
The Museum
The idea of building a memorial to the service men and women who had been stationed at the No.1 Flying Boat Repair Depot at Lake Boga during World War II was first discussed by a few local Lake Boga Lions Club members over a few beers at the local pub in 1983.
From this humble beginning, countless volunteer hours, 'blood, sweat and tears' and many more beers, the 'dream' finally came to conclusion when the modern hangar which houses a restored Catalina and other exhibits was officially opened on 21st April, 2012.
The aircraft on display is a Catalina PBY5, A24-30. It depicts the type and size of aircraft that were used as patrol bombers during World War II and was built in the USA by the Consolidated Aircraft Company. It was originally a Netherlands aircraft that was adopted by the Royal Australian Air Force in 1942 and given the registered number A24–30. After the war it was sold to Kingsford Smith Airlines, who used it for spare parts.
The body was sent to Lake Boga for scrap, but it was purchased by a local farmer and taken to Nyah. The farmer used some parts but left the rest lying under a tree for forty years. His family donated it to the Lake Boga Lions Club who has painstakingly assembled and semi-restored it to something of its former glory.
Attractions and Cafe
The Flying Boat Museum boasts a large collection of war memorabilia, books and machinery and a camouflage cinema. Visitors can also search their loved one's service history. The underground bunker showcases a range of communication devices used during WWII and visitors can practice their Morse code.
The Catalina Grill House is now open, and you can eat inside or sit outside amongst the trees with lake views.
Open Hours and location
03 5037 2850
www.flyingboat.org.au
Email: [email protected]
12 Willakool Drive, LAKE BOGA VIC 3584
Open everyday from 9am - 4pm Excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day.
Note: Information was provided by the Manager in February 2024. Photos created by Cartalk Australia.
4. Kerang Historical Society and Museum
History
The current Kerang Historical Society first formed in 1965. In 1969, the then Borough of Kerang (now the Shire of Gannawarra) purchased the old Shelley home in what is now Museum Drive and made it available for the Historical Society to use as a museum.
The original house had to be demolished in recent years due to irreparable damage by termites and rotrendering it unsafe. The museum has built a new shed on the site as well as other larger sheds to house the huge collection of old engines, farm machinery, trucks, cars, tractors etc.etc.
The museum has a large enthusiastic group of members who volunteer every week. On average there would be about 20 every week and a full membership of well over 50.
Collection
The Kerang Museum houses a large collection of farm machinery, restored tractors, steam engines, water pumps, restored 1930s and 1950s trucks. It also includes household items and clothing, a war room and Gannawarra memorabilia and many items of interest relating to the local region.
Open on Sunday from 1.30pm to 4.30pm or by appointment.
It is located behind the Kerang Lawn Tennis Club & Atkinson Park.
https://www.facebook.com/p/Kerang-Historical-Society-and-Museum
Phone 03 5450 4090 Mobile 0487 010 777 or 0478 253 932. Address: 17 Museum Drive, Kerang.
The current Kerang Historical Society first formed in 1965. In 1969, the then Borough of Kerang (now the Shire of Gannawarra) purchased the old Shelley home in what is now Museum Drive and made it available for the Historical Society to use as a museum.
The original house had to be demolished in recent years due to irreparable damage by termites and rotrendering it unsafe. The museum has built a new shed on the site as well as other larger sheds to house the huge collection of old engines, farm machinery, trucks, cars, tractors etc.etc.
The museum has a large enthusiastic group of members who volunteer every week. On average there would be about 20 every week and a full membership of well over 50.
Collection
The Kerang Museum houses a large collection of farm machinery, restored tractors, steam engines, water pumps, restored 1930s and 1950s trucks. It also includes household items and clothing, a war room and Gannawarra memorabilia and many items of interest relating to the local region.
Open on Sunday from 1.30pm to 4.30pm or by appointment.
It is located behind the Kerang Lawn Tennis Club & Atkinson Park.
https://www.facebook.com/p/Kerang-Historical-Society-and-Museum
Phone 03 5450 4090 Mobile 0487 010 777 or 0478 253 932. Address: 17 Museum Drive, Kerang.
5. All Seasons Houseboats - Mildura, Victoria
Murray River
Sheer Indulgence & quality houseboat holiday on the Murray River
The Murray is perched on the edge of the Australian outback and Mildura is an oasis on the River, with the beautiful Mediterranean-style sunshine and the laid-back outdoor lifestyle, it is a great place to sample the region's famous food and wines.
People are drawn to the magic of the Murray River because it delivers a rare mix of living, diverse waterways with adventure and fun. The beauty of travelling on a houseboat on the River is you are able to Escape the rush hour, and watch time slow down as the magic of the Murray River allows your body and mind to drift and do as much or as little as you like. The waters invite you to snooze, swim, canoe, stroll, read, fish, ski or explore while travelling on an All Seasons Houseboats. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u58CmK4h2RY
All Seasons Houseboats has a magnificent fleet of 15 purpose-built houseboats. The boats are very flexible according to your needs and include all the luxuries you would expect on award winning house boats. Resort style features include roof top spa, undercover sundeck, gourmet BBQ, apartment style living and entertaining areas, air conditioning and everything required to relax in style. To check out our fantastic fleet, please click on the following link to view and find the house boat of choice to suit your requirements and crew.
Conveniently located in the new Mildura Dockside Marina you can begin your journey in style, giving you ease of boarding from our spacious boardwalks. Undoubtedly the best marina on the Murray River.
The Marina boasts the only licensed riverfront café and is open 7 days a week.
https://allseasonshouseboats.com.au www.youtube.comAllSeasonsHouseboats
Phone: 1800 22 33 75 (03) 5023 3375 Address: Dockside Drive, Dockside Marina, Mildura.
Sheer Indulgence & quality houseboat holiday on the Murray River
The Murray is perched on the edge of the Australian outback and Mildura is an oasis on the River, with the beautiful Mediterranean-style sunshine and the laid-back outdoor lifestyle, it is a great place to sample the region's famous food and wines.
People are drawn to the magic of the Murray River because it delivers a rare mix of living, diverse waterways with adventure and fun. The beauty of travelling on a houseboat on the River is you are able to Escape the rush hour, and watch time slow down as the magic of the Murray River allows your body and mind to drift and do as much or as little as you like. The waters invite you to snooze, swim, canoe, stroll, read, fish, ski or explore while travelling on an All Seasons Houseboats. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u58CmK4h2RY
All Seasons Houseboats has a magnificent fleet of 15 purpose-built houseboats. The boats are very flexible according to your needs and include all the luxuries you would expect on award winning house boats. Resort style features include roof top spa, undercover sundeck, gourmet BBQ, apartment style living and entertaining areas, air conditioning and everything required to relax in style. To check out our fantastic fleet, please click on the following link to view and find the house boat of choice to suit your requirements and crew.
Conveniently located in the new Mildura Dockside Marina you can begin your journey in style, giving you ease of boarding from our spacious boardwalks. Undoubtedly the best marina on the Murray River.
The Marina boasts the only licensed riverfront café and is open 7 days a week.
https://allseasonshouseboats.com.au www.youtube.comAllSeasonsHouseboats
Phone: 1800 22 33 75 (03) 5023 3375 Address: Dockside Drive, Dockside Marina, Mildura.
6. Murray Offroad Adventures - Mildura, Victoria
4WD off-road bus tours
Peter and Jeanie Kelly are the husband and wife team behind Mildura based, Murray Offroad Adventures. Both were thrilled to win back to back Gold, in Regional Tourism awards this year. They offer exclusive, flexible 4WD bus tours, exploring remote landscapes in northwest Victoria.
Discover the region’s rich history. Take the opportunity to be guided through parts of Victoria’s more remote National Parks - Hattah-Kulkyne and Murray-Sunset. Explore a land of contrasts, where wetlands meet dunes and semi-arid plains, linked by Australia’s longest river, the Murray. Smell eucalyptus smoke of a campfire while relaxing on a river sandbar. Travel through ancient river red-gum forests, along sandy tracks in Mallee scrub, or open salt lake plains. Be awed by vast horizons. Quietly watch kangaroos bounding, emus strutting and parrots chattering.
Planning a Victorian road trip holiday to Mildura
Take your time. Life is about experiences and the people you meet. Stay a few nights at the Grampians. Then spend a relaxed day travelling through the Wimmera Mallee to Mildura, via the very popular Silo Art Trail. Australia’s largest outdoor gallery. The painted silos are all so different. The sheer size and artistry will fill you with awe.
Brim, Beulah - both have lovely neat creek, wetland/caravan park areas.
Warracknabeal - one of the towns on the way has an Agricultural Machinery Museum.
Hopetoun - a picturesque small lake/ camping area. These areas are all off the main road and easy to miss if rushing. Worth a visit or overnight stay for people with caravans.
Murray Offroad Adventures provides unique opportunities to experience the outback, all within Victoria!
Experience a wild and beautiful country, only fully appreciated with guides who know its secrets.
Contacts: Peter 0428 224 368 or Jeanie 0417 500 131 Email: [email protected]
www.murrayoffroadadventures.com.au www.visitmildura.com.au siloarttrail.com www.murrayrivercruises
Note: Peter has a deep understanding and a vast knowledge (over 30 years) of the Murray River landscape between Mildura and the S.A. border, in the north-west corner of Victoria. Photos and content provided by Peter & Jeanie.
Peter and Jeanie Kelly are the husband and wife team behind Mildura based, Murray Offroad Adventures. Both were thrilled to win back to back Gold, in Regional Tourism awards this year. They offer exclusive, flexible 4WD bus tours, exploring remote landscapes in northwest Victoria.
Discover the region’s rich history. Take the opportunity to be guided through parts of Victoria’s more remote National Parks - Hattah-Kulkyne and Murray-Sunset. Explore a land of contrasts, where wetlands meet dunes and semi-arid plains, linked by Australia’s longest river, the Murray. Smell eucalyptus smoke of a campfire while relaxing on a river sandbar. Travel through ancient river red-gum forests, along sandy tracks in Mallee scrub, or open salt lake plains. Be awed by vast horizons. Quietly watch kangaroos bounding, emus strutting and parrots chattering.
Planning a Victorian road trip holiday to Mildura
Take your time. Life is about experiences and the people you meet. Stay a few nights at the Grampians. Then spend a relaxed day travelling through the Wimmera Mallee to Mildura, via the very popular Silo Art Trail. Australia’s largest outdoor gallery. The painted silos are all so different. The sheer size and artistry will fill you with awe.
Brim, Beulah - both have lovely neat creek, wetland/caravan park areas.
Warracknabeal - one of the towns on the way has an Agricultural Machinery Museum.
Hopetoun - a picturesque small lake/ camping area. These areas are all off the main road and easy to miss if rushing. Worth a visit or overnight stay for people with caravans.
Murray Offroad Adventures provides unique opportunities to experience the outback, all within Victoria!
Experience a wild and beautiful country, only fully appreciated with guides who know its secrets.
Contacts: Peter 0428 224 368 or Jeanie 0417 500 131 Email: [email protected]
www.murrayoffroadadventures.com.au www.visitmildura.com.au siloarttrail.com www.murrayrivercruises
Note: Peter has a deep understanding and a vast knowledge (over 30 years) of the Murray River landscape between Mildura and the S.A. border, in the north-west corner of Victoria. Photos and content provided by Peter & Jeanie.
7. The Spanner Man - Barraport, near Boort and Kerang, Victoria
John Piccoli - A garden full of amazing artworks By Paul & Cathie Haw
I first met John at the Boort High School. I was only twelve and John was sixteen. John lost three years of schooling while he was in hospital, putting his schooling behind. I remember him being so popular at school with kids all wanting to push his wheelchair.
Like John, I also contracted Polio in 1948. I remember it so clearly as it was so traumatic. I couldn’t walk anywhere and I remember waking up in my cot shaking it, thinking that I was being left behind,
I had most of my treatment in St. John Of God Hospital in Ballarat. Luckily for me, I was given heaps of exercises to do, especially picking up marbles with my toes. I was never strapped to a board to immobilise me as some doctors believed was the only way to treat polio patients. I had my legs in metal callipers for two years but I led a reasonably normal life although I couldn’t play sport such as Football and by the time I reached 60 years, I noticed a deterioration in my leg muscles which is now called Post Polio Syndrome.
Only 12 months ago while cleaning up the family farm before it was sold, I found my callipers which I proudly showed to my grandchildren. Recently I asked John what he did with his callipers and he said “I couldn’t chop them up quick enough and throw them into the scrap heap”.
About the time that I got Polio, many others also contracted the disease, so in Boort they shut down the swimming pool, schools and churches until the peak of the epidemic passed. John was eight when he contracted Polio in 1949 and spent three years in hospital. Most of John’s time was spent strapped to a board, not being allowed to move a muscle, so therefore John’s muscles wasted away even further.
At that time there was a woman called Sister Kenney who had a theory that after the main infectious period of Polio was over, you started exercising to your capacity, and those people who followed her guidelines got out of it really well. Those people who stayed with the theory that you don’t move and stayed immobilised came out just like John. John claims that if he received total mobilisation in the first place “I wouldn’t be in a wheelchair now”.
To supplement my farm income in the 1970’s and 80’s, I shore sheep and goats through the Boort District. I quite often ended out at John’s farm shearing his goats. I enjoyed watching him with his ability to push up the goats with his wheelchair. I was amazed what he could do from the wheelchair, even picking up fleeces and throwing them onto the table. I really admired his ability to achieve almost anything without ever complaining.
One time while out at John’s shearing goats, he asked me to shear some camels that he had purchased. We all got behind the camels to drive them into the shed when a bull camel turned around and took after me. I ended up under an old wagon with the camel circling trying to get at me. It must have known that I was going to shear it. It took half an hour to get the camel away so I could escape. I have never shorn a camel and I’m not going to start.
After I retired from shearing, Cathie and I ran a large native plant nursery, collecting our own seed from local indigenous plants and growing them out for re-vegetation projects. At one stage we were employing over twenty people.
The Spanner Man bus tours
At some point we met Robyn Vella, just before she became the Tourism Officer of the Loddon Shire. She had organised many bus tours and often brought people to the Nursery. One day, Robyn, who was thinking of expanding her business, asked “if there were any other venues around Boort that could be suitable for bus tours?” I said “ Robyn, hop into my car and I will take you to John Piccoli’s." He had started to make sculptures out of spanners and also has a large collection of Macaw Parrots, all in 2Ha of gardens.
The first visit impressed Robyn, but not so much John as there was paperwork to sign. Robyn has a friendly persistent nature, taking two years for John to sign the paperwork needed for Public Liability etc. The first year, only a few hundred tourists attended, now there are over 10,000 a year that visit the “Spanner Man”. John conducts two main tours a day, 10am and 2pm. John shuts down in the month of July while it is cold and damp, catching up on maintenance. Some of John’s sculptures contain 5,000 spanners and take up to 6 months to build.
John and his wife Sonia have been so generous to the Boort Community, donating four large sculptures for the town. One is in the Foyer of the Boort Hospital, another in Godfrey, and two in Nolen's Park. John is now receiving about 100 tourists a day which helps keep our cafes, hotels and the caravan park ticking over..
Contact Sonia on 03 5455 4257 for more information. Address: 1314 Boort-Quambatook Rd, Barraport VIC 3537
www.abc.net.au/the-spanner-man-one-of-the-worlds-most-unusual-artists http://boort.com.au
I first met John at the Boort High School. I was only twelve and John was sixteen. John lost three years of schooling while he was in hospital, putting his schooling behind. I remember him being so popular at school with kids all wanting to push his wheelchair.
Like John, I also contracted Polio in 1948. I remember it so clearly as it was so traumatic. I couldn’t walk anywhere and I remember waking up in my cot shaking it, thinking that I was being left behind,
I had most of my treatment in St. John Of God Hospital in Ballarat. Luckily for me, I was given heaps of exercises to do, especially picking up marbles with my toes. I was never strapped to a board to immobilise me as some doctors believed was the only way to treat polio patients. I had my legs in metal callipers for two years but I led a reasonably normal life although I couldn’t play sport such as Football and by the time I reached 60 years, I noticed a deterioration in my leg muscles which is now called Post Polio Syndrome.
Only 12 months ago while cleaning up the family farm before it was sold, I found my callipers which I proudly showed to my grandchildren. Recently I asked John what he did with his callipers and he said “I couldn’t chop them up quick enough and throw them into the scrap heap”.
About the time that I got Polio, many others also contracted the disease, so in Boort they shut down the swimming pool, schools and churches until the peak of the epidemic passed. John was eight when he contracted Polio in 1949 and spent three years in hospital. Most of John’s time was spent strapped to a board, not being allowed to move a muscle, so therefore John’s muscles wasted away even further.
At that time there was a woman called Sister Kenney who had a theory that after the main infectious period of Polio was over, you started exercising to your capacity, and those people who followed her guidelines got out of it really well. Those people who stayed with the theory that you don’t move and stayed immobilised came out just like John. John claims that if he received total mobilisation in the first place “I wouldn’t be in a wheelchair now”.
To supplement my farm income in the 1970’s and 80’s, I shore sheep and goats through the Boort District. I quite often ended out at John’s farm shearing his goats. I enjoyed watching him with his ability to push up the goats with his wheelchair. I was amazed what he could do from the wheelchair, even picking up fleeces and throwing them onto the table. I really admired his ability to achieve almost anything without ever complaining.
One time while out at John’s shearing goats, he asked me to shear some camels that he had purchased. We all got behind the camels to drive them into the shed when a bull camel turned around and took after me. I ended up under an old wagon with the camel circling trying to get at me. It must have known that I was going to shear it. It took half an hour to get the camel away so I could escape. I have never shorn a camel and I’m not going to start.
After I retired from shearing, Cathie and I ran a large native plant nursery, collecting our own seed from local indigenous plants and growing them out for re-vegetation projects. At one stage we were employing over twenty people.
The Spanner Man bus tours
At some point we met Robyn Vella, just before she became the Tourism Officer of the Loddon Shire. She had organised many bus tours and often brought people to the Nursery. One day, Robyn, who was thinking of expanding her business, asked “if there were any other venues around Boort that could be suitable for bus tours?” I said “ Robyn, hop into my car and I will take you to John Piccoli’s." He had started to make sculptures out of spanners and also has a large collection of Macaw Parrots, all in 2Ha of gardens.
The first visit impressed Robyn, but not so much John as there was paperwork to sign. Robyn has a friendly persistent nature, taking two years for John to sign the paperwork needed for Public Liability etc. The first year, only a few hundred tourists attended, now there are over 10,000 a year that visit the “Spanner Man”. John conducts two main tours a day, 10am and 2pm. John shuts down in the month of July while it is cold and damp, catching up on maintenance. Some of John’s sculptures contain 5,000 spanners and take up to 6 months to build.
John and his wife Sonia have been so generous to the Boort Community, donating four large sculptures for the town. One is in the Foyer of the Boort Hospital, another in Godfrey, and two in Nolen's Park. John is now receiving about 100 tourists a day which helps keep our cafes, hotels and the caravan park ticking over..
Contact Sonia on 03 5455 4257 for more information. Address: 1314 Boort-Quambatook Rd, Barraport VIC 3537
www.abc.net.au/the-spanner-man-one-of-the-worlds-most-unusual-artists http://boort.com.au
8. Mallee Country Pickings - Manangatang, Victoria
Just the place to help jog those memories
Founder, Neil O’Callaghan started collecting in 2006 when drought and the diagnosis of cancer in 2002, wanted him to give up. He found a hobby which quickly grew. We travelled to farm clearing sales throughout Vic, NSW and SA collecting shearing plants, wool-presses and of course everything else that was thrown into your stash of goodies.
These were then stored in machinery sheds, barns an the likes. Sadly Neil lost his battle with cancer in 2009. Finally in 2016 I decided to start the mammoth job of sorting it out. With the property sold, the collection was moved 70km away to its new home, 12km east of Manangatang. The collection comprises of woolpresses, shearing plants, tools of the trade, branding irons, photos, advertisements, kitchen and household items and so much more.
Anyone who has an interest in farming, shearing, sheep, tools and the likes would have a few memories brought back to them but its not all for the men. There is also a collection of clothes, irons and household gadgets that were common in all homes.
The younger generation could also benefit from a look at how much manual labour was involved in surviving the harsh farming conditions of the early years before technology took over. In April 2019 I decided that with so much history collected and stored I opened it up for public viewing. And so, the passion for preserving a little bit of history continues...
Opening hours
First Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday of the month. Opening hours are 9.00 - 4.00 pm.
Other bookings can be organised by appointment only. Email [email protected]
Phone: 0402 616 099 Contact Owner/ Manager Yvon Smythe for more information. Admission is by donation.
Address: 2949 Mallee Highway Manangatang, Victoria. It is 400km from Melbourne and 180km from Mildura.
These were then stored in machinery sheds, barns an the likes. Sadly Neil lost his battle with cancer in 2009. Finally in 2016 I decided to start the mammoth job of sorting it out. With the property sold, the collection was moved 70km away to its new home, 12km east of Manangatang. The collection comprises of woolpresses, shearing plants, tools of the trade, branding irons, photos, advertisements, kitchen and household items and so much more.
Anyone who has an interest in farming, shearing, sheep, tools and the likes would have a few memories brought back to them but its not all for the men. There is also a collection of clothes, irons and household gadgets that were common in all homes.
The younger generation could also benefit from a look at how much manual labour was involved in surviving the harsh farming conditions of the early years before technology took over. In April 2019 I decided that with so much history collected and stored I opened it up for public viewing. And so, the passion for preserving a little bit of history continues...
Opening hours
First Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday of the month. Opening hours are 9.00 - 4.00 pm.
Other bookings can be organised by appointment only. Email [email protected]
Phone: 0402 616 099 Contact Owner/ Manager Yvon Smythe for more information. Admission is by donation.
Address: 2949 Mallee Highway Manangatang, Victoria. It is 400km from Melbourne and 180km from Mildura.