Birchip - Victoria
We stopped in at Birchip, Victoria which did not have a painted silo but plenty of street art. As we walked down the street we noticed a sign in a bakery window saying that they had won numerous awards for their vanilla slices. There was no hesitation from us and into the shop we went. A trophy sat on the counter stating that they had just won the 2022 Australia’s best vanilla slice. We were in luck as they had only three remaining. We bought two leaving one for the next customer who quickly snatched them up. Sharps Bakery each day bake 400 vanilla slices and the are very good. When we had finished our vanilla slice for afternoon tea we did rate it as one of the best we have had.
Birchip is a typical country town but they had plenty of street art and very well done. The Big Mallee Bull statue in the main street was not the best we have seen. I think it was meant to be more like a cartoon caricature than realistic.
Trickbots Metal Art - Nullawil - Victoria
Continuing on with our drive we went to see the silo at Nullawil, Victoria. Next to the information board of the silo we saw a metal robot sculpture holding up business cards which had information and directions about the manufacturers Trickbots. We were curious and followed the simple directions to Trickbots. Dan and Mazz bought a property in Nullawil and started making robot sculptures and other artifacts from scrap metal. Their yard layed out with robots, dragons, insects and tractors etc from very large to small sculptures. Dan also make custom pieces, while we were there he was making a letterbox from old gas bottles, made to look like a Minion [from the movie Despicable Me] We purchased a colorful dragonfly made with old knives. Well worth the visit and as you can see on the map below only a minute drive from the silo, with plenty of parking. Free to have a look and have a chat with Dan and Mazz.
Took photos of the bigger sculptures but not of some of the smaller ones. Below are some photos taken from their Facebook page. I did ring up and Mazz gave permission to use them.
The Stick Shed - Murtoa - Victoria
We were driving near to the town of Murtoa and Jenny suggested we check out the Stick Shed. I had never hear of it and Jenny explained that she saw it on a TV program. There were plenty of signs in town directing us to the Shed and after we paid our $9 entry fee we went exploring. There is a small museum that explains why and how the Stick Shed was constructed. It was built in 1941-42 in six months and was one of many constructed. This was during the war and grain could not be sent overseas and had to be stored locally. The shed is massive with a lenght of 265 metres, 60 metres wide and 20 metres high at its apex. This is the last remaining Stick Shed and the entry fee pays for the maintenance. We were amazed at the size of the shed and one has to go inside to get the full impact. For more information go to their web site THE STICK SHED
Wycheproof
We stopped in at Wycheproof at lunch time and decided hamburgers were on the menu. The local takeaway place was easily found and we placed our order. $16 each for a hamber I thought was a bit steep but when we had finished it we decided it was $16 well spent , an excellent hamburger. A walk up the main street and we discovered some more metal art. In a disused service station metal sculptor Jimmy Johnson has set up a display and showroom. Using discarded farm materials and other scrap metal he has made some interesting artwork.
A few days camping in the Grampians
We had been on the go for a few weeks and decided to have a few days camping in the Grampians National Park. We called into the ranger staion and picked out a spot for a few nights at $14.50 a night. When picking out a place on the map it is always a gamble but as you can on the photos we chose wisely. The place was very quiet and we could cook on the campfire and enjoy the serenity. Our closest neighbors were a few kangaroos and an emu that have become used to people. We did go for a drive one day and visit some of the lookouts and waterfalls. After a few relaxing days it was back home to Adelaide.
The Galah Tree
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J+E
What a fabulous post, so many interesting photos. Love the murals and artwork. Not a vanilla slice man myself. In a personal quest for perfection I have been busy testing the skills of country bakeries to find the best meat pie or sausage roll (depending on my urge) in WA. It’s a selfless task attempting to map out the ‘Dogs Eye Trail’ a guide for travellers based on what’s not necessary good for you, but keeps you going to dinner time.
M+P
Very impressive, so glad you saw the Stick Shed, I saw a program about it too!
Great blog and photos.