Located at the convergance of the rugged NSW outback, Victoria’s border and the mighty Murray River, sunny Mildura is blessed with quintessentially Australian landscapes.
The region is also a melting pot of art, history and culinary delights, and a playground for lovers of the great outdoors. Mildura’s biggest drawcard is the Murray, with its warm waters and picturesque riverbanks meeting plenty of parklands and places to kick back and relax. And as Mildura is blessed with more sunny days than the Sunshine State, it’s a great place for a relaxing holiday with friends or family.
The Great Outdoors
The wonderfully wide Murray River seems to stretch on forever, making it ideal for water sports all year round. Skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, SUP and canoeing are all popular activities, and there’s always a plethora of boats and other water craft to admire. Mildura hosts the fastest water skiing race in the world – The Mildura Ski 100. Held on Easter weekend, it attracts more than 600 entrants.
Hire a houseboat and cruise along the river, soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the warm water. There are also plenty of cruise operators along the river, with historic paddleboats departing from Mildura Wharf for day trips.
To explore more of the region’s great outdoors, head to Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, where you’ll find many culturally significant Indigenous sites. It’s also home to open pine woodlands, beautiful lakes and swathes of native flowers.
Camping, hiking and biking are all popular activities, or take a guided 4WD tour hosted by Murray Offroad Adventures, with an expert guide weaving interesting facts and folklore into the experience. In a comfy all-terrain vehicle, visit some fascinating Indigenous sites that feature scar trees, shell middens and old Indigenous campsites, as well as meeting kangaroos, emus and a huge variety of stunning birdlife.
For freshwater fishing enthusiasts, giant king cod are known to inhabit the waters of the Murray near Mildura. Other species often on the bite include golden perch, silver perch, and eel-tailed catfish.
Arts and culture
Mildura is known for its abundance of artistic talent, with plenty of local creatives specialising in everything from ceramics and sculpture, to jewellery and painting.
Admire the many murals as you take a wander through the buzzing Mildura City Heart precinct – which has over 300 speciality shops, restaurants, cafes and so much more.
A must-do while in town is the Mildura Arts Centre, which is the leading arts and culture hub of North West Victoria. Established in 1956, the centre is home to the Rio Vista Historic House, a gallery with five wonderful exhibition spaces, a cafe, and a 500-seat theatre. Once belonging to the Chaffey brothers, who established the first irrigation system in Australia, the historic house is a 130-year-old mansion with beautifully restored stained-glass windows, mosaic floor tiles and ornate decorations. Still retaining its neoclassical style, it now displays a valuable collection of art that was donated in 1944.
Along with a rich settler history, the Mildura region encompasses the traditional lands of the First People of the Millewa Mallee. Just a 20-minute drive from Mildura is the Barkindji Wiimpatya Murray Centre – a popular gallery that displays works from local Indigenous artists including Dreamtime stories painted on kangaroo skins and Australia’s largest playable didgeridoo. Here, it’s all about engaging with First Nations culture and history. At the on-site workshop, artists can often be found completing new pieces or chatting to visitors about their art and the stories behind it.
Every year Mildura has a jam-packed events calendar, with something to please everyone.
Each Easter, the region comes alive with a massive powersports weekend (including The Mildura 100 ski race), bustling riverfront markets, prized art shows and so much more.
For bookworms, every July the Mildura Writers Festival is a four-day celebration of words, wine and music featuring a fantastic line-up of Australian writers. The program, which is all about how words have the power to shape our world, hosts a variety of artist talks, poetry readings and book signings.
History and heritage
While Mildura is now a thriving regional centre, it’s important to engage with its long and fascinating past. What began as an irrigation settlement established by two brothers has since grown into a bustling region with diverse cultural and social expression.
One of the best ways to do this is through experiencing The Chaffey Trail – an immersive heritage tour of Mildura combining 12 sites that tell the story of the city’s history. These include the homestead where the Jamieson family settled after claiming their pastoral lease in 1847, as well as the Chateau Mildura, where the Chaffey brothers planted 150 acres of wine grapes still producing specialised wines today. The self-guided tour has been designed to give visitors the best overview of the hospitality, history and beauty of the Mildura region.
Jumping forward a few decades, Mildura’s RAAF Memorial and Museum is a commemoration of the region’s World War II aviation history. The museum displays authentic memorabilia and photographs in what used to be an operational fighter conversion and training ground. Around 1,250 pilots were successfully trained in Mildura before being posted to different fighting squadrons. The outdoor memorial honours the service of these airmen and airwomen who represented Australia, and visiting is a great way to learn more about aviation.
To engage with the world’s oldest continuous culture, head to Mungo National Park. Here, experts have uncovered an astonishing collection of fossils and artefacts providing insight into Australia’s historical environment and the Indigenous people who inhabited it.
Wine and dine
There are so many places to eat and drink in Mildura, but one of the best is Verde Restaurant and Bar, which is the latest hotspot for outdoor dining and cocktails. Soak up the fresh Mildura air in an expansive alfresco space.
For a family-friendly eatery, check out The Gateway, which is known for its welcoming atmosphere, delicious meals and popular events. The Bistro draws a hungry crowd every night of the week, serving up all your pub favourites, with a great selection of vegetarian and gluten-free options as well. The Sports Bar is right next door, and is an ideal spot for watching all the action on the big screen while enjoying a drink with mates.
Mildura sits in the heart of Australia’s food bowl, and so there’s no shortage of popular vineyards and cellar doors to explore. Established in 1976, Capogreco Winery Estate is one of the many family-owned and operated wineries in the region, producing a delicious range of wines using traditional Italian methods. The vineyards are pesticide-free, and all organic byproducts of the wine-making process are returned to the soil. Head to the cellar door to try the full range of products or meet the team at the Sunraysia Farmers Market.
Located on Mildura’s Feast Street, The Province by Matt De Angelo is fine dining at its best. Walking into this Italian eatery, guests are embraced by a romantic and soothing atmosphere, punctuated by moody lighting and a dark wooden interior. The menu is designed by chef and owner Matt De Angelo, who earned a Chef’s Hat from The Good Food Guide for his modern twist on classic Italian favourites. The pasta here is house-made and paired with delectable sauces.
Whether it’s the endless sunny days and fresh air, the culture, food and wine, or the sense of adventure that draws you to Mildura, it has all the ingredients for a perfect holiday.
For more to explore in sunny Mildura, check out our guides here!
Travel to Mildura
Rex flies to Mildura. Book your flights here and check out the route map below.
