Comments on: Only in OZ #22 – The Big Malleefowl, Patchewollock, Victoria

By: Red Nomad OZ

Red Nomad OZ — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 08:34:23 +0000

In reply to Natasha.

Turn off the Mallee Highway (B12) at Walpeup onto the Hopetoun/Walpeup Rd (C247) and head south for ~34 km, then turn right onto the C248 – it’s a couple of km to Patchewollock and the BIG Mallee Fowl!

By: Natasha

Natasha — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 13:29:51 +0000

In reply to Megan.

What did you put into your map to get to the malleefowl? Is it along the highway? Or do you have to turn?

By: Red Nomad OZ

Red Nomad OZ — Sun, 25 Feb 2018 10:38:50 +0000

In reply to Megan.

Haha, love BIG things Megan – this one is just so bizarre. Apparently since I spotted it it’s got a mate and now some chicks!! I’ll be sure and check out FIDO one day – hadn’t heard of that one before, but it sounds awesome 😀

By: Megan

Megan — Fri, 23 Feb 2018 23:38:24 +0000

One of my favourite BIG Things in Aus!
The FIDO Dog in Fairfield is another marvel of someone’s hard work.
Damn thing can be heard panting too at times!

By: Red Nomad OZ

Red Nomad OZ — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:28:46 +0000

@patchegal12 – WOW! I can’t wait to see them in Patchewollock without their orange netting!!! Maybe even later this year … Pilchard is jealous as hell of all the mallee fowl on the roadside, but something tells me they’ll be gone by the time we visit! As for your pysanka and giant sausage – I’ll raise you the Big Goanna in Crystal Brook SA, and the big woolbales in Hamilton, Victoria! They also tell me there’s a big wine cask … gotta find that!!

By: patchegal12

patchegal12 — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 11:08:08 +0000

@redNomadoz, great blog on our NEW local attraction. Am happy to report that the horrible orange netting has been removed and the birds have been fully erected and now take pride and place in our home town. They were officially unveiled in October with the the ‘Year of the Farmers’ festival and for all you blog readers out there, I believe talk around town is that the festival will again be happening this year (will try and keep you posted). I love the new addition to our town, and more recently it appears that so too do the real Mallee Hens. On the road just north of Patchewollock, visitors have counted up to 80+ mallee hens on the road. It is simply amazing check out ABC’s picture http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2013/02/11/3687952.htm

@Dianne.. it’s a long way from Patchewollock to Alberta, Canada, but am pleased to report on a visit last year I was lucky enough to visit both the giant pysanka in Vegreville and the giant sausage in Mundare….. Some things you just have to do!!

By: Sallie (FullTime-Life)

Sallie (FullTime-Life) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 17:23:52 +0000

Definitely it is big … and interesting and definitely Australian. I’m glad you included information about the real birds which (needless to say I expect) I’d never heard of.

By: Red Nomad OZ

Red Nomad OZ — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 00:32:22 +0000

@Saucy Kod – The other question is does this Canadian girl WANT to come across a giant malleefowl?!?! But I hope the answer’s yes!!
@SFlaGuy – HHHMMMmmm… maybe you’ve uncovered the reason why it’s in the middle of nowhere!!!
@Joan – Luckily, you don’t have to choose! They’re BOTH cool!!!
@Liz Nut – I’m sure I’ve only scratched the surface downunder! Plenty more to find!!
@Mina fotostunder – That’s what I thought too!!
@Mrs Tuna – Ah, I would if it were mine to ship …
@Becky Jane – That’s what I thought too! Then I thought it needed a wider audience, so I’ve given it one!
@Ronal – I’ve seen the pineapple, but not the sheep. And there’s plenty more just waiting to be discovered!!
@Marianne – That’s Australia all over, isn’t it?!?!
@Jim – Yeah, that’s something you won’t find in Sydney!!!
@Ken G – Sure is!! And it almost looks hollow …
@Cloudy – Thank you! So glad you came to visit – come back anytime!@

By: Red Nomad OZ

Red Nomad OZ — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 18:23:46 +0000

@Ann O’Dyne – Yes, I take my hat off to them. I think there’s a similar program in WA – with any luck they’ll manage to preserve this unique Aussie bird!
@Johanna – I’m glad you have that reaction after reading this – a lot may say it’s all too weird for words!!!
@FruitCake – Yep, that’s the Aussie way!! Funny how corrugated iron’s uses range from dunnies to Big Things! Who knew it was so versatile?!
@PDP – I love the idea of megafauna, and it’s nice to find this remnant of an earlier age …!!!
@Grandma Bonnie – Thank you, and look forward to seeing you again!
@alissa apel – I’m sure a toy peacock would be easier to manage than this monster bird!! And WAAAAY less scary!!
@Nature Footstep – Yes! I wouldn’t want to be the first victim to a giant Malleefowl!
@Liz – Haha, we are known for weird stuff, are we not?!?!
@Miriam – Even more fun is getting everyone’s reaction to it!!!

By: Red Nomad OZ

Red Nomad OZ — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 18:15:57 +0000

@magsx2 – I hope I’m giving it the exposure it deserves!!! It was really unexpected!!
@Fun60 – Couldn’t agree more!! And it’s so much the better for being in such an odd spot, I’m one of the few people in the world who’s seen it!!
@Dianne – OK, I’ll bite! What’s a ‘pysanka’?? Send me a pic!!!
@Filip and Kristel – You’re right – I didn’t expect it! I could actually be the only person in the world who’s written about it!!!!
@Windsmoke – Here’s a challenge for you – write an ode to this critter!!!!
@darlin – That’s why I go out there!!! This kind of thing makes it all worthwhile (that either makes me an adventurer or a sad loser, not sure which!!!!)
@Leanne – And I bet he didn’t even cost that much to make …
@Alessandra – I think the problem is one of balance!! One little push and he’d fall forward …
@Indrani – It’s so great to find such a unique object in such an off-beat place!