EcoHeritage Tours

Visit the
Pioneer
Museum
Mulwala
151 Melbourne St
Mulwala
Ph: (03)57441402
E-mail
aasloane@bigpond.com

On display are many of the items which are described and photographed from the books and video, including the aircraft built and flown by Douglas Sloane.

~ EcoHeritage Tours ~

an enterprise of Savernake Pastoral Company
ABN 15 102 383 055

The Sloane Family offers unique & enriching tourist experiences

300 ha of exceptional box-pine woodland
Historic woolshed and shearer’s quarters
History & nature based products available

All at the one location, Central Murray region

Many buildings and sites featured in the books and videos produced by Alexander & Ann Sloane have been made open to the public. With their interests in history and the environment, they are able to provide fascinating anecdotes and information for visitors.

ALL VISITS BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT ONLY.

See contact details below.

This website includes many photos, we hope you’ll wait for them to download - it will be worth it! Hold cursor over photo for caption

Click here to download Printable Brochure

Savernake Station Woolshed

From the earliest years, wool production was the focus of the Station. In 1911 William Sloane built a new woolshed & shearers’ quarters of White Cypress Pine harvested from his paddocks and milled on site. The Shed, bore and outbuildings are still the focus of Station life.

1912 Shearer’s Dining Room Alexander, a keen historian, has re-created parts of the woolshed area in 1930’s style, while enabling the Shed to retain its full working capacity. The "Store" houses a variety of artefacts & extensive bottle collection. The original steam engine is "back home". A 1930’s-style shearer’s bedroom is another feature, and the Woolroom houses a display about the wool industry. The 1912 Woolroom Dining room features the original Murray Pine walls, "Poets Corner" and a photographic display. The Sloanes produce Merino wool of 21 micron. Keith & sister Helen are researching Dohne Merinos which produce both quality wool and prime meat. Alexander & staff sow approx 1,200 ha annually, producing wheat, oats, barley, canola, triticale & lupins. 60ha of irrigation (Corurgan Scheme) produces summer pasture & lucerne hay . 1935 Shearer’s bedroom

1912 Cook’s Storeroom

Light refreshments are available at the Woolshed Dining room by prior arrangement.

The Sloanes, members of "Learning from Farmers" network, offer educational visits to those with agricultural & native vegetation interests.
Website: www.learningfromfarmers.com.au

Savernake Station Forest

The Sloane family has had a strong affinity with their natural environment since 1862. With wool production their main focus, shelter belts & copses have always been valued. Clearing for cereal production in the 1890’s depression was carefully controlled. They retain 17% tree cover, and are fencing & enhancing both belts and copses with understorey, direct seeded and with tubestock taken from their own seed sources. 300 ha of sandhill forest was regarded as agriculturally poor and never cleared.

The central 40ha remains a pristine area of native vegetation featuring tall pines and varied understorey. Spring is the high season, but the forest retains its unique character all year round. The biodiversity is astonishing; See the Picture Gallery below, and further details on the Species Lists. Entymologists will appreciate Savernake Station as the childhood home of Thomas Gibson Sloane, who first classified Australia’s insects in 1870; his beetle collection resides in CSIRO archives, Canberra.

This tour takes 90 mins at an easy walking pace.

Some visitors’ comments: Awesome; A privilege to be here; Beautiful remnants & buildings; A special place; Impressive.

CURRENT SPECIES LISTS (Word Documents): Click on Title for full lists:
BIRDS
FLORA & FUNGI
FAUNA
REPTILE/AMPHIBIAN
INSECT

PICTURE GALLERY - a sample of Savernake Station’s biodiversity
Hold cursor over photo for caption

~ The "Shop" ~

As well as the videos and books in the "Heritage Products Australia" range, visitors may purchase:

"Advertisement Calls of Riverina Frogs" 20 min CD of advertisement calls of the 14 local species $10.00

"Australian Birthday Calendar" featuring original watercolours of Australian native flora & fauna in a perpetual calendar style $12.00

"Mopoke Hollow - Olive Oil Soaps" Australian made soaps in a variety of fragrances. $4.00/cake

Cash or cheque transactions only

EcoHeritage Tours is a member of Albury Wodonga Regional Tourism Forum Inc.

Corowa Tourism

~ TOUR DETAILS ~

All tours by PRIOR ARRANGEMENT only. All bushwalks by foot only. No tours in unsuitable weather. No pets please. Minimal Impact Bushwalking Code. Amenities available only at start and end of tour.

Please bring: camera, binoculars, hand lens, sturdy footwear, long trousers, repellent, own food & drink.

Species sightings are dependent on weather & seasonal conditions.

Price: $4-$8pp/hr, depending on group size & discounts. Details provided when booking. Tours available Monday-Saturday; 9am - 5pm. Other times by special arrangement.

Accommodation: The nearby popular twin Tourist Towns of Yarrawonga & Mulwala on the Murray River offer a full range of accommodation, and many tourist attractions including natural, artistic, dining, sporting, social and historical highlights.

Enquiries: Alexander & Ann Sloane.

Phone: (02) 6035 9415 Mobile: 0419 244 896

Email: aasloane@bigpond.com

Credit card facilities not available.

Meet Tour Guide at Savernake School of Arts Hall at pre-arranged time.