Wycheproof is a small country town of some 800 people which has the distinction of a railway line traversing the main thoroughfare. This circumstance apparently arose because the government was unwilling to pay extra money to purchase land especially for the track. This section of the highway is known as Broadway St. It seems difficult to credit but an American-born chemist came up with the name in the 1880s as it reminded him of New York's Broadway. Perhaps New York was smaller then.
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Wycheproof is situated on the edge of the Mallee, 292 km north-west of Melbourne and 268 km south-east of Mildura on the Calder Highway. The economic basis of the area is evident in the one-million-bushel silos adjacent the highway (and railway line) at the northern end of the settlement.
The town's name allegedly derives from the Aboriginal place-name 'witchi-poorp', said to mean 'grass on a hill', a reference to Mt Wycheproof just east of the highway. The first station in the district was established in 1846. There was but one settler here at the start of 1874 but a subdivision that year created a population of 130. The town was surveyed in 1875 and the railway arrived in 1883.
The grandfather of the distinguished Sir Douglas Nicholls, the first knighted Aborigine and Governor of South Australia, lived here in the 1880s.
Things to see
Tourist Information
The shire offices in Broadway St are the best place to direct enquiries, tel: (03) 5493 7400.
Willandra Farm Museum
At the southern end of town, on the western side of the highway, is the Willandra Farm Museum with old farm machinery, a slab hut, blacksmith's shop, an old police station and school and local memorabilia. It is open weekends by prior arrangement, tel: (03) 5493 7227.
Just up the road is an old steam train and turntable on the eastern side of the highway.
Centenary Park
A little further north is Centenary Park, a pleasant place for a picnic or rest. There are bird aviaries, two log cabins (one displays historical furniture), a cock-and-log fence, barbecue and toilet facilities and a playground.
Two Heritage Buildings
At Broadway and O'Connor is the town's post office (1889). Turn into O'Connor St and you will come to a T-intersection. Across the road, in High St, is the old courthouse (both 1889). The latter is a simple Classical Revival design with effective cream brick detailing on the red-brick, gabled facade.
Mount Wycheproof
Turn right at the courthouse into High St and take the immediate left into Mount St. A side road will lead to the summit of Mount Wycheproof which, at 43 m, is said to be the smallest registered mountain in the world. Nonetheless there are fine views of the surrounding plains. Each year locals race each other to the top carrying a 60-kg bag of wheat without the help of straps or other artificial aids. Walking tracks traverse a flora and fauna park where there are emus and kangaroos.
