Red Cliffs Scenic Reserve: A Mallee Oasis

Red Cliffs Scenic Reserve offers a tranquil escape into the Mallee landscape, preserving a piece of the region's natural history. The reserve's main feature is the stunning red cliffs that tower 70 meters above the Murray River, providing breathtaking panoramic views. The reserve holds historical significance, with middens providing evidence of long-term Indigenous connections to the land. These remnants offer a glimpse into the lives of the Latji Latji people, the traditional owners of the area, before European settlement. Visitors can explore the reserve via stairways, walkways, and boardwalks, with informative signs detailing the area's history and natural features. The Cliff Top Lookout on Woomera Avenue offers particularly fine views over the river and the dramatic cliffs. The reserve provides a diverse habitat for native flora and fauna, offering opportunities for birdwatching and nature observation. Keep an eye out for kangaroos and emus, which are prolific in the area, especially during spring. The reserve is a reminder of the ambitious soldier settlement scheme that transformed the region in the 1920s. After World War I, the government allocated land to returning soldiers, converting the native landscape into an agricultural area. The Red Cliffs Pumping Station, once the Southern Hemisphere's largest, was built nearby to draw water from the Murray River for irrigation.