Derrinallum
Small rural service centre at the foot of
Mount Elephant
Derrinallum is a small rural town of about 300
people located on the Hamilton Highway 176 km
west of Melbourne. It is situated in a
pastoral-agricultural landscape at the foot of
Mount Elephant - an old volcanic cone which
towers above the adjacent plain.
The town's name is an Aboriginal word said to
be a reference to a type of tern which once
frequented a local swamp. A major conflagration
swept through the town in 1944, destroying most
of the buildings.
Things to see:
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Mount Elephant
The main attraction of the town is obviously
Mount Elephant which, at 393 m above sea-level,
is one of the state's highest volcanic cones.
Last active about 4000 years ago it once made a
major contribution to the formation of the
area's volcanic plains by disgorging large
amounts of molten lava. Mount Elephant has been
quarried for basalt. The crater is 90 metres
deep.
Larra
In Larra Road is 'Larra', an attractive
single-storey basalt homestead built in 1875 for
Scottish-born pastoralist John Lang Currie. The
impressive basalt stables were built in 1873.
They feature Gothic detailing, finely carved
masonry and a lovely belltower. These elements
of the homestead complex are all that survived a
1944 fire which destroyed buildings dating back
to c.1844.
Deep Lake and Lake Logan
On the western side of town is a road which
veers north-west. Within a few kilometres are
Lake Logan and Deep Lake. The latter has
facilities for yachting, waterskiing and rowing
and is a popular venue for anglers. There is a
boat ramp on the southern shore of Deep Lake.
Lake Tooliorook
Lake Tooliorook is a popular venue for trout and
redfin fishing and for water sports. A large
variety of wetland birdlife can also be found.
Follow the Camperdown Rd south for 8 km, turn
left on the Lismore Road and, after 2 km, there
is a turnoff on the left to the lake's
foreshore. There is a boat ramp on the eastern
shore.
Darlington
Darlington is a small town located 17 km west
along the Hamilton Highway. The Elephant Bridge
Hotel is a two-storey bluestone building which
is classified by the National Trust.
