Ouyen is situated on the crossroads of the Calder Highway (Melbourne-Mildura) and the Mallee Highway (Sydney-Adelaide). It's 110km south of Muldura. But, I'm a visual person, so here's a map to help you place us.
And of course, it's all about a bird. You may remember that we were after the Mallee Fowl. It's another score for us ! A big score you could say ... We saw these Big Mallee Fowls in Patchewollock. (I know, rolls off the tongue doesn't it?)
We've been quite excited to read how many, and how often, people were seeing the Mallee Fowl. And now we were actually in the area to have our chance.
Our 'contacts' told us to be in the area to see these shy birds between 4-5.30pm. We found ourselves on the road travelling to the caravan park at 12.30, thinking oh well, here's where we need to come back to later this arvee. But lo and behold, our luck shined, and we saw one on the side of the road. We slowed and even managed to get a photo of him walking away into the bush (it's the most common photos you'll see). We didn't see that he/she had a watch to know that it wasn't the right time to be seen.
Proudly, we set off for the caravan park again. Only to be slowed down again, by not one, but two birds!! Very exciting. Didn't get a photo .. ah well. Again, off to the caravan park. On checking in, the lady said to us, 'have you come to see the Mallee Fowl?' InK said 'yes, and we've just seen three !!'.
We went back later (of course) and found a not-so-shy bird ... happily picking away and totally not worried about us snapping away.
Another pose, doing his typical scratching
The other reason we like to stay in Ouyen is because it's a 'stones throw' away from the Hattah-Kulkyne National Park. Always a good chance to get a Mallee Emu-wren. He's an elusive, lovely little guy. Bit more 'attractive' than the Mallee Fowl. And we picked him up too.
Ouyen developed around a railway station, which was established in 1906 after the Melbourne to Mildura line was built. Blocks in the area were sold in 1910 and cleared for sheep, wheat, barley and oat production.
It's the former home of the Great Vanilla Slice Triumph (apparently the home of the Great Vanilla Slice has moved to Mildura). There is a cafe that still makes the vanilla slice, yummy, but when I eyes the cake cabinet and found a jelly slice - there was no competition.
As you can see by the map, we're quite close to South Australia. Might as well go there ... but we'll see how we feel.
No comments:
Post a Comment