Mullinger Swamp Conservation Park with Ron Kandelaars: In the South East region of South Australia

It's not hard to see why the locals call the country around Mullinger Swamp, northeast of Naracoorte 'God's own country'. The beautiful redgums and lush pasture make perfect postcard images.

But, according to local tourism officer, Phillip Tanner, when the first pastoralists moved here they had another name.

"Some of the old timers had good recollections of their fathers and grandfathers calling this 'The Land of the Giants' - meaning the giant living red gum trees." said Phillip.

Phillip has been researching the area's history for a new tourism guide. In the process, he and local landowner Lorraine Roberts have uncovered a few quirky facts about the swamp.

"The South Australian - Victorian border goes directly through the middle of the swamp," explained Phillip. "So if you wanted to go fishing on this side you comply with South Australian laws but if you happen to wander a little bit further over to the other side you have to comply with Victorian laws.

"For example in South Australia you don't need a permit to use a yabbie net but in Victoria you do. So if you plan to put a yabbie net in put it on this side and not on the other side!"

They say the yabbies are big too. A bit like everything else including the massive hollowed out red gum tree that once served as the changing shed for the ladies at the turn of last century.

"This is where the ladies used to come and take off their bathing costumes and get changed for their swim in the swamp," said Lorraine. "It was all very sociable."

The Land of the Giants around Mullinger has always been a meeting place and it seems the trees have always played a key role in providing shelter. Lorraine showed us another giant hollowed out tree on her property that no doubt served the Boandik people well long before European settlement. But it then became well known by the bullockies who transported grain and wool across the border between South Australia and Victoria.

"The bullockies stopped in here to here to get out of the rain." explained Phillip. "They even stacked the grain they were carting in here so it didn't get wet. If it got wet it would spoil and it would have been a wasted trip."

The locals are proud of their red gums so much so that ten years ago the ABC held a competition to find the tallest red gum in Southeastern South Australian and Western Victoria. Obviously the judges couldn't climb to the top of every tree so they measured the circumference of the largest trees in the Land of the Giants.

The colossus that won measured in at 11.6 metres in circumference and 39 metres high.

So when you visit the award-winning tree, Lorraine insists you sign the visitor's book and then give the tree a big hug!

Mullinger Swamp Conservation Park is on the road between Naracoorte and Frances, just north of Kybybolite. It's award winning tree is near the car park. Just look for the sign.

Mullinger Swamp and "Mullinger Tree"
Mullinger Conservation Park
SA/Vic Border
Near Kybybolite