Out and About Sunraysia

Werrimull Loop Day Trip

If you like a day trip with a bit of everything, this loop delivers: heritage steam, silo art, a proper country pub lunch, pioneer history and a lake stop to finish.

The key is timing the day for when the Red Cliffs Historical Railway is operating, so you can start with an early ride behind “Lukee” before heading deeper into the Millewa.

At a glance

• Start / finish: Mildura
• Best time: A day the Red Cliffs Historical Railway is operating, preferably when daylight hours are a little longer.
• The mix: Steam railway, silo art, pub lunch, pioneer history and a lake stop.
• Good for: Families, visitors, photographers and anyone interested in local history.

Build the day around the railway

Check the Red Cliffs Historical Railway running dates and departure times before you leave. Once you know the train time, the rest of the loop is much easier to pace without rushing the later stops.

The route

Five stops taking you from Mildura through Red Cliffs and the Millewa before looping home via Lake Cullulleraine.

Photo Credit - Red Cliffs Historical Steam Railway

Heritage railway

Stop 1: Red Cliffs Historical Railway

Mildura to Red Cliffs: about 20 minutes

Head from Mildura to Red Cliffs for an early railway departure. It is a great way to start the loop, with volunteer-run heritage railway atmosphere and a ride behind “Lukee”.

Out & About tip: Check the running date and departure time before you go so the rest of the day lines up properly.

See the Red Cliffs railway

Photo Credit - Visit Mildura

Millewa art

Stop 2: Werrimull Mobile Silo Art

Red Cliffs to Werrimull: about 40 minutes

From Red Cliffs, follow Werrimull Road out into the open Millewa country. The Werrimull Mobile Silo Art is a striking stop and suits the surrounding grain-growing landscape perfectly.

Out & About tip: Walk around it and take a few different angles — the artwork changes quite a bit depending on where you are standing.

Photo Credit - Werrimull Hotel

Lunch stop

Stop 3: Lunch at the Werrimull Hotel

After the silo art, head into Werrimull and stop for lunch at the pub. It gives the day a proper local-country feel and makes a good break before heading further west.

Out & About tip: Use the stop to top up your water and have a stretch before the next leg.

Photo Credit - Millewa Pioneer Park

Pioneer history

Stop 4: Millewa Pioneer Park, Meringur

Werrimull to Pioneer Park: about 15 minutes

Continue on to Millewa Pioneer Park near Meringur. The volunteer-run park preserves the story of early settlement and the realities of building a life in the Millewa.

Give yourself enough time to wander through rather than treating this as a quick photo stop — there is plenty of local history packed into the site.

Photo Credit - Bushmans Rest Caravan Park

Finish by the water

Stop 5: Lake Cullulleraine

Pioneer Park to Lake Cullulleraine: about 40 minutes · Lake to Mildura: about 45 minutes

From Pioneer Park, backtrack slightly and work your way across to the Sturt Highway before dropping into Lake Cullulleraine.

It is a relaxed way to finish the loop — stop for a picnic or afternoon snack and, when conditions suit, cool off with a swim before heading back to Mildura.

See more of the loop

Planning tips

• Fuel and water: Top up early and carry plenty of water. Once you are out beyond Red Cliffs, services are much more spread out.
• Weather: In hot weather, tackle the exposed outdoor stops earlier and leave the lake for later in the day when conditions are more comfortable.
• What to pack: Hat, sunscreen, swimmers, towel, picnic gear or icebox, drinking water and a little spare change for donations where applicable.
• Timing: Build the day around the Red Cliffs Historical Railway departure time so you are not chasing the clock for the rest of the loop.

Quick stop list

1. Red Cliffs Historical Railway — early ride with “Lukee”
2. Werrimull Mobile Silo Art
3. Lunch at the Werrimull Hotel
4. Millewa Pioneer Park, Meringur
5. Lake Cullulleraine — picnic and swim