There aren’t too many towns that can build an entire festival around throwing a Mallee Stump through the air and somehow turn it into one of the best days on the Mallee calendar.
But Ouyen can.
The Mallee Root Festival is back this weekend, with Ouyen Lake once again becoming festival central for a day of music, food, entertainment and, of course, some serious root tossing.
And yes, the organisers are still proudly running with the slogan “Just Here for the Root.”
You really don’t need me to add much to that.
A Proper Mallee Competition
At the heart of the day is the famous Root Toss, where competitors get the chance to see just how far they can launch a Mallee root.
It’s one of those competitions that probably sounds completely ridiculous to anyone from outside the district.. which is exactly why it works.
Forget fancy sporting equipment.
Find yourself a chunk of Mallee Stump, give it everything you’ve got and hope it lands further away than everybody else’s.
Simple.
More Than Just a Good Root
While the Root Toss might be the part everyone remembers, there’s plenty more happening around the lake.
Expect live music, food, family entertainment and plenty happening throughout the day, all with Ouyen Lake as the backdrop.
The lake has become a real focal point for Ouyen and is a great example of what a small Mallee community can pull off when it gets behind an idea.
It’s now used for swimming, fishing, walking, water activities, camping and community events — and this weekend it'll be packed with people there for a good old-fashioned country festival.
Worth the Drive Down the Calder
The Mallee Root Festival has that country event feel that can be pretty hard to manufacture.
It isn’t trying to be some giant city festival.
It’s a lake, live music, local food, families, a heap of people catching up and somebody trying to throw a chunk of tree further than the bloke before them.
Pretty hard not to have a good time with that combination.
Mallee Root Festival
📍 Ouyen Lake, Ouyen
📅 This weekend
🎵 Live entertainment
🍔 Food and family activities
🌳 And, of course, the famous Root Toss
So if you’re looking for an excuse for a drive south of Mildura this weekend, point the car towards Ouyen.
Grab something to eat, enjoy the music beside the lake and, if you reckon you’ve got the arm for it, have a crack at the Root Toss.
Because for one weekend in Ouyen, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with admitting you’re just here for the root.
