LAL LAL FALLS

The weather was one of those perfect days you get every now and then, so on Saturday we decided to visit the Lal Lal Falls. The falls are located 20 klms SE of Ballarat or 70 klms NW of Geelong. Very easy to get to from either direction. 

The Lal Lal Falls were first discovered in early 1837.

The above map shows the roads we traveled on from Ballan to the falls. Most of the roads were bitumen, but became gravel once we turned off onto Harris Road. As seen in the following images:

 
The following image shows the falls as they were many years ago.  The top right image is a Hand coloured tinted lithograph by Charles Troedel - circa 1864.  The lower right is a group of women at the the base of the Lal Lal Falls,  circa 1905. The main image on the left is of a group at the base.  30 Sep 1896.  All three images (in the one below) are courtesy of Museum Victoria.

Lal Lal is home to the spectacular Lal Lal Falls - a name meaning ‘dashing of waters', as determined by the original Wuthaurung community inhabitants. The Falls are also significant as the spiritual resting place of the Kulin Peoples.

The township of Lal Lal was originally part of an extensive sheep run established in 1845 but later formed around the discovery and mining of iron ore, lignite, kaolin (clay) and to a lesser degree, gold. The opening of the Lal Lal railway in 1862 cemented the township as an important mining location and site for transportation of minerals.

The town grew with people mostly associated with the local mining industries and with it came development, hotels and a favourite pastime of the era, horseracing.

Lal Lal became a popular tourist destination because of the Falls and its country racing program. The New Year's Day Race Meeting drew crowds from far and wide with over visitors flocking to the event by steam train. A special train line was built to link the railway station with the race course.

image above is at the carpark and picnic area of the falls. There is a small playground, toilets, two BBQ's and under cover seating.  Plenty of grassed area for the children too!  The following images will show you how beautiful the Lal Lal Falls are and certainly worth a visit if you are in the area:

The image showing the seat, is a lovely spot to sit and meditate, there is no noise of traffic or people, just the gentle sound of the waterfall and the birds chirping!



Photos by Leone Fabre

Information on the Lal Lal area from "Growing Moorabool" website.





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Q U I E T !!!!!!!

yes, that's right ....

Q U I E T !!

One of the 'quiet carriages'. Photo: Jason South

V/Line have "quiet carriages"

That means switch mobile devices to silent, turn down electronic devices, and speak quietly. Those annoying ringtones, loud conversations and bleeping video games will be banned from seven country train carriages.

“This is about creating some space that encourages fellow passengers to further respect each other’s journey.”

If you want to have a chat, you can use the rest of the train. But one car will be clearly labelled with signs, both inside and outside, requesting a quiet environment.

Queensland Rail trains have successfully had "quiet carriages' for over two years and hopefully it will be successful here in Victoria too. 

Not everyone is happy with the idea of "quiet carriages", but they still have 4 other carriages to choose from to chatter, use their cell phones, play electronic games etc.... a "quiet carriage" is for those that prefer to read quietly or just relax and enjoy the journey!

V/Line allowed six months to judge whether its customers wanted to embrace the quiet carriages, and they did.

So all lines have a "quiet carriage" now.

VLine says they are simply asking for community co-operation from people who travel on V/Line to co-operate while in the quiet carriage.

Please check the carriage you are in when boarding a VLine train and have respect for your fellow passengers if the carriage you are in is labeled QUIET!
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