Mallyons
on the Murray
(Text & Photos supplied by Mallyons on the Murray)
Mallyons on the Murray is so much more than a roadside café, it's an attraction
in its own right.
Mallyons doesn't just sell lunches to travellers in the Riverland. It contains
a gallery featuring many types of art and is set on a historically significant
site which has been converted to a certified organic farm.
The Café is the perfect place to stop for lunch during a trip through the
Riverland and the dishes keep with the river theme.
Sample meals such as the Overlander's Lunch (the local take on a ploughman's)
and the mouth-watering Paddle Steamer Pie, a steaming pastry filled with spinach
and ricotta cheese. During winter organic pumpkin soup and minestrone are
on the menu and if you have a sweet tooth, there's scones with home made organic
jam or the best pancakes you will ever taste.
All the food at Mallyons is home made and 80% of the produce is organic, grown
on the property. Organic fruit and vegetables are available for purchase,
as well as home made jams and sauces.
The café is also licensed and a range of Temple Bruer organic wines is available.
The gallery at Mallyons contains a range of works by local artists, including
paintings, woodwork, embroidery and even leadlighting. There's even a kids'
room full of toys to keep the little ones amused while you have a relaxing
lunch and browse the gallery.
Mallyons is set on 18 acres of land overlooking the Murray River. The site
is an historic one, the original part of the building being constructed in
1841 for the overlanders working in the area.
Overlooking the river is the old Mallyon House Hotel. Built in 1860, the hotel
was used as a stopover for both Cobb & Co employees and the tree cutters who
supplied wood for the paddle steamers working up and down the river.
A number of changes have been made since then. The entire property now runs
on solar power and the land surrounding the property has been converted to
an organic farm, certified by NASAA.
The organic produce grown on the property includes stone fruits like peaches
and plums, as well as a range of vegetables such as carrots, beetroot, some
Asian vegetables and other seasonal plants. There are also plantations of
mulberries, avocados, walnuts and quandongs among the thousand or so trees.
The property takes part in the Willing Workers On Organic Farms program, which
brings organic farmers from other parts of the world to gain experience on
the Mallyon property. Guests are encouraged to take walks through the farm
and along the riverside, as there are spectacular views of the Murray River,
with an excellent vantage point from cliffs only 100 metres from the café.
Mallyons on the Murray is located in Weston Flat, on Highway 64, 18km east
of Morgan and 25km from Waikerie. The café is open from Thursday to Monday,
10am to 4pm. They cater for group bookings and will provide dinner service
for pre-arranged groups of more than ten. For bookings and information phone
8543 2263 or send an email to: weston@riverland.net.au
