Travel vouchers Victoria: Tourist attractions Big Lizzie Mildura, Giant Koala

With 40,000 tourism vouchers now up for grabs, these left-of-field Victorian attractions are sure to be popular over the coming months. So hurry up and get there before everyone else discovers them.

Robert Wolfe’s father was the chair of the board which organised the return of Big Lizzie to Red Cliffs.

While Victoria might not be home to giant bogan landmarks like a prawn, pineapple, ugg boot, axe, lobster or an actual bogan — we do have our very own special sites for travellers.

From a rock shaped like an elephant that serves as a community noticeboard, to a derelict giant earthworm, a colourful wizard and magical treehouse, we’ve put together a list of quirky places — and people — that might pique your interest.

And with Victorians being urged to get online on Friday with 40,000 tourism vouchers up for grabs , now is the time to see many of these ones below, many of which are eligible under the scheme.

ELEPHANT ROCK

Elephant rock on Emerald-Beaconsfield Rd in Dewhurst.

They say an elephant never forgets, which is great when you’re counting on it to deliver a special message.

Elephant Rock, in Dewhurst on Beaconsfield-Emerald Rd, has been used as the unofficial community noticeboard for more than 20 years.

Thousands of birthday, anniversary, engagement, festivals and other celebratory messages and announcements sit beneath the latest layer of paint on the rock, which resembles the shape of an elephant.

And while there are those residents who think the messages are graffiti and have previously told Leader the rock should be returned to its original colour, it brings joy to many others in the community.

BOINGA BOB’S TREEHOUSE

People come from far and wide to see Boinga Bob's famous Warburton house.

Children in Warburton call him Peter Pan and say he lives in a treehouse, but for inventor Bob Prudhoe — Boinga Bob — his eco-friendly timber home demonstrates the magic of life.

The now 80-year-old based the wondrous structure, made from recycled materials, on a Tibetan monastery he visited many years ago.

It has three levels, including decking, which look out on views of the area’s scenic hills.

And for anyone who has been lucky enough to walk through, it is truly magical.

Mr Prudhoe set eyes on his first house in Warburton more than 30 years ago.

He first spotted an old house — opposite where ne now lives — and set to fixing it up.

That was until a fire raised it to the ground.

In 1993, he moved over the road to the station master’s house, and set to creating the structure that is there today and filling it with treasures collected from his overseas adventures.

Mr Prudhoe, who has had heart surgery and two hip replacements, was no longer able to keep up restorations so a group of supporters set up a GoFund Me campaign, Save Boinga Bob’s House and have been working to restore the famous abode.

BELGRAVE WIZARD

Belgrave Wizard Baba Desi is a well-known figure in Belgrave.

The Belgrave Wizard Baba Desi, aka Des Bergin, is a well-known and popular identity throughout the Dandenong Ranges community.

The now 90-year-old is recognised for his colourful gear and magical staff — inspired by his time overseas.

Leader previously reported Mr Bergin worked with holy men in India, who gave him the name Baba Desi, which he said means International Father.

He has previously said he is a healer and activist having taken part in Occupy Melbourne and rallying against Tecoma McDonalds.

Artist Bryan Itch, of Inkbomb Studios, was commissioned by Belgrave Traders Association to paint a version of their local identity — in the guise of a rainbow lorikeet — in a mural paying homage to Baba Desi.

JACKS MAGAZINE

The 12ha site on the banks of the Maribyrnong River consists of 12 gunpowder and ammunition storage buildings, as well as tunnels and tramways that were used to move explosives.

This former military gunpowder storage next to the Maribyrnong River in Gordon St, Footscray, was built in 1875 and held explosives shipped in during Victoria’s gold mining boom.

It includes two large bluestone buildings specially designed to store gunpowder, and is positioned between 10m earth mounds which act as “blast walls” — a safety precaution to protect surrounding area in case of explosion.

The heritage listed site — also known as Saltwater River Powder Magazine — is the largest gunpowder storage complex in the state and was involved in the munitions manufacturing industry until it was decommissioned in the 1990s.

According to the website the factory was named after Wally Jack, who served as the deport foreman and grounds keeper during World War I until 1943.

The site is managed by non-profit Working Heritage, appointed to conserve and revitalise Jack’s Magazine.

BIG LIZZIE

Big load: Big Lizzie carts a load of wheat at Merbein. Picture: Museum of Victoria.

Known as one of Australia’s biggest tractors, this old girl is a solid part of Victorian pioneering history.

Big Lizzie, which stands 5m, is a prime mover originally commissioned by blacksmith Frank Bettrill in 1914 and finished a year later in 1915.

The prime mover is more than 10.36m long, 3.35m wide, and 5.49m high.

The giant tractor was built at a Richmond foundry and took two years to make the trip to Mildura.

The idea was she would replace camel trains which carried wool along sandy ground in Broken Hill, but that wasn’t to be after several issues during the lengthy journey.

In 1920 the State Government commissioned Big Lizzie to clear trees and scrub in what became the largest soldier settlement in the country, for 700 World War I veterans.

After that the tractor and its trailers were employed carting wheat in the Merbein area, one load consisted of 899 bags of wheat.

In 1925, the machine went to Balmoral, where it remained on a Glendenning station property for more than 40 years until being returned to Redcliffs and restored as a tribute to the pioneers of the area.

GIANT KOALA

The Giant Koala at Dadswells Bridge.

If you’re driving along the Western Highway you might spot one of Horsham’s major tourist attractions — The Giant Koala at Dadswell’s Bridge.

With the Grampians mountain range providing a scenic backdrop, the enormous native wildlife sculpture has a cafe and takeaway business with information on the local area and next door is the motel.

The Giant Koala was commissioned by Beryl Cowling, who owned the Koala Kitchen Motor Inn in 1988.

Dutch sculptor Ben Van Zetten used seven tones of steel to construct the enormous mammal nicknamed Sam after a real life koala rescued in the Black Saturday fires.