Magnificent Wimmera Mallee Road Trip

If you are looking for road trip ideas over a long weekend, then look no further. The Victoria Silo Art Trail is an ideal public-holiday weekend road trip, for anyone who is based in or around Melbourne, Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat. Have a look below for the perfect itinerary.

We just got back from a trip exploring the northwest top-end of Victoria and decided this would be the second part of our trip. Read on to find out where to eat, sleep and stop. Plus there is some extra insider travel tip info.

Silo Art Trail Itinerary

The route allows you to either start or end your road trip at Sea Lake. Just reverse the order below if that is what you desire. By the way this itinerary does not encompass all of the Silos on the trail, for that you would need much more time. We picked up some others which you can read about here.

A really good option is to drive straight to Sea Lake on the first day, so that you can catch the sunset on Lake Tyrrell, eat, sleep and in the morning complete the Silo Art Trail on the way home.

Sea Lake Silo Art

Depending on the time that you arrive in Sea Lake and how you feel, you could check out the silo art murals at the Sea Lake Silos, in the afternoon before enjoying the Lake Tyrrell sunset followed by dinner or you could check the Silo Art out in the morning before setting of on the next leg of your road trip. This flexibility is hand for breaking up your Silo Art Itinerary and having a more relaxing road trip overall.

Dinner options at the Royal Hotel, Sea Lake and the Juke Sea Lake are discussed further on so keep reading.

Starting at Sea Lake

• Day 1:
  • Melbourne to Sea Lake (Lake Tyrrell) for sunset
• Day 2:
  • Sea Lake Silo
  • Lascelles
  • Rosebery
  • Brim
  • Sheep Hills

Finishing at Sea Lake

• Day 1:
  • Sheep Hills
  • Brim
  • Rosebery
  • Lascelles
  • Sea Lake Silo
  • Sea Lake (Lake Tyrrell) for sunset (maybe)
• Day 2:
  • Sea Lake (Lake Tyrrell) for sunrise!
  • Return to Melbourne

Wimmera Mallee Silo Art Trail Road Trip – VLOG

You can check out our account of our Wimmera Mallee Silo Art Road Trip in the video. Youtube account of the road trip here.

Where to have Dinner

There seem to be only two restaurants that you can eat an evening meal at in Sea Lake. The first is the Royal Hotel Sea Lake (and pub/bar) and the second is The Juke Restaurant Sea Lake, which is located in the Royal Hotel.

Royal Hotel Sea Lake Menu

If you choose to eat at the Royal Hotel, the food comes from the Juke, where you also need to order. The menu at the Royal Hotel Pub is made up of your typical club classics, they also have Pizza and a Parma night, so depending on when you go there are some great options and it’s a beautiful relaxing country pub.

The Juke Sea Lake Menu

The Juke has a contemporary menu, which is short, and will definitely please. Inside, the restaurant has a comfortable vibe and importantly, after sunset photography, is nice and warm. Be sure to book though, being one of the few places to eat in Sea Lake, The Juke is popular and busy.

The Juke, does not seem to its website, but it is a part of The Royal Hotel’s website and has details on how to book. Here is also a link on Google Maps.

Regardless of where you eat, the Royal Hotel was a great pub to have a beer at to unwind after a hard day on the road.

Best Accommodation Silo Art Trail Victoria

Sea Lake Hotel and Motel Accommodation Options

We stayed at Lake Tyrrell Accommodation, which seems to be setup for the main attraction of Sunset at Sea Lake, ie. Lake Tyrrell or even Sunrise on the lake, you’ll hear people setting off to catch the Sunset at Lake Tyrrell, or to do a spot of star gazing at the Sky Lounge. Likewise in the morning you’ll sense a buzz around people setting off to catch sunrise at Lake Tyrrell. The accommodation offers modern, clean and very simple but pleasant rooms, with loads of parking. Highly recommended.

Other options around Sea Lake for Accommodation are the Royal Hotel, which has the Pub and The Juke restaurant downstairs and then the Sea Lake Motel, both of which offer decent rooms and have great reviews.

Check out the other hotels in the area below:

Lake Tyrrell (Free) Camping Options

If you are looking for free camping around Lake Tyrrell, you may be out of luck, there are however a couple of options for camping. So do not despair.

The Royal Hotel in Sea Lake has a parking area out the back for self-contained campers, such as caravans and campervans. This was free, subject to permission at the time of writing. So give the Royal Hotel a call prior to arrival to check out that option on Lake Tyrrell’s and the Pub’s doorstep!

Another option is Green Lake, located around 10km south of Sea Lake on the road to Birchip, camping here is by honesty box at around $20/night. The sites are powered and there are facilities.

Finally there is also an option that is 34 km further north of Lake Tyrrell and Sea Lake at Nandaly Travellers Rest, opposite the Nandaly Community Hotel, there are public toilets, shower, BBQ, firepit and a playground.

Essential Insider Info – Hiring Gumboots

Now, let’s get something straight. If you are visiting Lake Tyrrell, then regardless of whether you are taking photos or not you really need gumboots!

If you do not own gumboots, fear not! You can hire them for $10-15 at the Tourist Info Centre on the main road. Click here for location.

Best Time to visit Lake Tyrrell

Lake Tyrrell is famous for its stunning salt flats that create mirror-like pink reflections during certain times of the year.

It is a tricky question, as to when the the best time to visit Lake Tyrrell is, because it depends on the experience you’re looking for:

1. Mirror Effect: The main attraction of Lake Tyrrell is the mirror created by the shallow water on the salt flats and is what gives the opportunity for those amazing photos of big skys. This effect is most prominent during the dry times of the year, when the water has evaporated, from November to March. The best time to witness the mirror effect is during these warmer months when there’s less chance of rainfall and the salt crust is pretty dry.
2. Astrophotography: Lake Tyrrell is famous for its dark skies, making it a great location for astrophotography and star gazing. The best time for this activity is during the cooler months of the year when the skies are clearest, bring some seriously warm clothes. The period from April to September is generally ideal for stargazing and capturing the Milky Way and other celestial phenomena, like satellites blazing across the night sky.
3. Wildlife: If bird watching and observing wildlife is your thing, the cooler months, April to September are better, as the lake attracts migratory birds and other wildlife.
4. Avoiding Crowds: If you don’t do crowds, visiting Lake Tyrrell during the shoulder seasons in October and March. The weather is still pleasant, watch the forecast, and you might have the place almost to yourself.
5. Weather Considerations: It’s important to note that the weather can be quite harsh, when you are exposed in the open. During the summer months (December to February), temperatures can soar, so be prepared. In contrast, winter months (June to August) can bring chilly temperatures, especially during the night, but it is definitely worth putting up with the cold.

Silo Art Trail – Sea Lake to Melbourne

Sea Lake Silo Art – Drapl & The Zookeeper

The silos at Sea Lake are situated walking distance from the centre of Sea Lake town, so you can easily grab a coffee whilst you admire the work of Drapl & The Zookeeper.

The silo viewing area is separated from the silos by the railway, which provides context to their purpose. The art itself represents a girl swinging from a Mallee gumtree overlooking Lake Tyrrell.

Lake Tyrrell Sky Lounge – Sea Lake

The area is well known for it’s dark sky at night making it an excellent place to grab some time star gazing or doing a spot of astrophotography. In fact Lake Tyrrell is ranked as one of the best dark places in Victoria to see the stars, so what better place and opportunity to witness the night sky for a spot of star gazing, than from the purpose build sky lounge, so relaxing.

The Indigenous word ‘Tyrille’ means ‘space opening to the sky’ which is apt. When you visit you will see why, make sure you check out the sky lounge at Lake Tyrrell. The Indigenous Boorong People were known to have more knowledge of astronomy than any other tribe, and their stories are rich in culture and connection to the lake.

Getting back to the silo art, the scene depicted represents the sense of stillness and silence, that the vastness of the outback provides. The colours certainly reflect what you can expect to experience when you visit the Salt Lake.

Lascelles Silo Art – Rone

The art at the Lascelles Silos, depict a local couple from the community, farmers Geoff and Merrilyn Horman, part of a family that has lived and farmed in the area for four generations.

These silos were completed in 2017 by Rone, who wanted to portray his subjects wisdom, knowledge and nurturing for their community.

Check out Melbourne based Rone on his website and Instagram.

Rosebery Silo Art – Kaff-eine

The Rosebery silo art was completed by Kaff-eine, who is another Melbourne based artist; former lawyer and public servant. In order to complete this work, in 2017, they spent time with the artist behind the Lascelles silo art project. The silos themselves date back to 1939.

The silo on the left captures the grit, tenacity and character of the region’s young female farmers, who regularly face drought, fires and other hardships living and working in the Mallee. In her work shirt, jeans and turned-down cowboy boots, the strong young female sheep farmer symbolises the future.

The silo on the right portrays a quiet moment between dear friends. The contemporary horseman appears in Akubra hat, Bogs boots and oilskin vest – common attire for Mallee farmers. Both man and horse are relaxed and facing downward, indicating their mutual trust, love and genuine connection.

siloarttrail.com

Check out Kaff-eine on her website and Instagram.

Brim Silo Art – Guido van Helten

The Brim silo art was the first of the silo art trail to be created in Victoria, immediately demonstrating the impact of the artworks on the local community. It was the work at Brim silos that inspired the establishment of the silo art trail and has consequently helped the Wimmera Mallee region of Victoria.

Guido is another Melbourne based artist, who was born in Canberra, ACT. He studied art at the Southern Cross University. Guido was nominated in 2016, for the Sir John Sulman Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW this work at Brim.

Completed in early 2016, with limited financial resources, van Helten’s mural depicts an anonymous, multi-generational quartet of female and male farmers. Rendered across these four 1939-built GrainCorp silos, van Helten’s subjects bear expressions that exemplify the strength and resilience of the local farming community.

By rendering the figures as both central and peripheral, present and absent, the work explores shifting notions of community identity at a time when rural populations face both immense economic pressure and the tangible consequences of climate change. 

Using the documentary style of humanist street photography as studies, the translucent aerosol technique conjures a sense of ghostliness. The resulting characters are profoundly connected to their chosen place, infusing the landscape with a comforting, familiar presence. 

siloarttrail.com

Check out Guido van Helten on his website, Instagram or Facebook.

Sheep Hills Silo Art – Adnate

The Sheep Hills silos, were actually the first of the silo art exhibits we saw on a previous trip. They are the work of Adnate, who is a Melbourne based artist. Anyone living in Melbourne would be familiar with his work for example in Hosier Lane.

At the site there is an information board, which gives interesting background to the art. In this case the art is inspired by Adnate’s friendship with the Barengi Gadjin Land Council and took four weeks to complete from inception.

The Sheep Hills GrainCorp silos were built in 1938, Adnate’s depiction of Wergaia Elder, Uncle Ron Marks, and Wotjobaluk Elder, Aunty Regina Hood, alongside two young children, Savannah Marks and Curtly McDonald celebrates the richness of the area’s Indigenous culture.

In the picture, the night sky represents elements of local dreaming and the overall image signifies the important exchange of wisdom, knowledge and customs from Elders to the next generation.

Adnate says that he sought to shine a spotlight on the area’s young Indigenous people and highlight the strong ancestral connection that they share with their Elders. 

Check out Adnate on his website, Instagram and Facebook. Most of the info above is also available on the Silo Art official website.