Mildura
Victoria
Mildura, with a population of around 30,000, is located on the banks of the Murray River in north western Victoria. Mildura is known as Victoria's Food Bowl and is a major producer of citrus fruits and wine. Even though Mildura is in Victoria, the closest capital city is Adelaide at 393kms, Melbourne is 540kms, and Sydney 1,006kms. The cultural diversity of the region was established following the arrival of the soldier settlers and post-war migrants from Italy, Ireland, Greece, England etc, and they brought with them the important skills to transform the Sunraysia region into the important food bowl it is today.
Accommodation in Mildura is plentiful, with a large choice of hotels, motels and caravan and camping parks available. There are also large shopping centres to resupply, and plenty of restaurants and cafes for you to have a meal in.
The Murray River
The Murray River is the world's seventh largest river, stretching for 2,700 kilometres starting in the mountains in the Great Dividing Range in the north eastern part of Victoria, and heads out to sea near Adelaide in South Australia. In the 1800s the river was a major trading route, busy with steam boats carrying supplies to the townships and stations along the river, and carting wool back for sale to the major markets.
During the 1920s and 30s, weirs and locks were built along the river, allowing farmers to irrigate the land and boats to move up and down the river all year round. Lock 11 is at Mildura, and is a great place to try your hand at fishing.
The river boats still operate out of Mildura and Wentworth, allowing visitors to experience the tranquillity of the river.
You can buy this photo at AllPosters.com
Mildura Attractions
Paddle Steamers
The P.S. Melbourne and the P.V. Rothbury operate out of Mildura and offer a great experience to cruise along the Murray River. They offer a variety of cruises, including a winery cruise to try some local product. Have a look at their website for details.
Telephone: +61 35023 2200
www.paddlesteamers.com.au
P.S. Melbourne
The Paddle Steamer Melbourne was originally launched at Koondrook on the River Murray in 1912. Built for the Victorian Government as a work boat, and used for keeping the main channel open for navigation for other Paddlesteamers, assisting with bridge, weir and lock construction.
Later the Melbourne was bought by Evans Brothers Timber Mills at Echuca and was used for Logging until road transport became more viable. She was then left permanently moored against the river bank and to the elements, until 1965 when she was purchased by Captain Alby Pointon.
After extensive boiler and hull repairs, the Melbourne's boiler was fired again for the first time in 23 years for her long voyage from Echuca to Mildura. Upon arriving at Mildura, and after further careful, restoration the P.S. Melbourne departed Mildura Wharf on her maiden voyage carrying passengers on the 1st January 1966.
P.S. Rothbury
The Paddle Steamer Rothbury was built in 1881 at Gunbower, Victoria, on the Murray River. Built as a large and powerful Tow Boat, employed in towing barges for the Wool and Logging Trade. She was well known even then, to be one of the fastest Tow Boats.
The Rothbury was brought to Mildura in 1909 by Permewan Wright & Company who had an extensive establishment in Mildura, sharing the trade to the district with the Chaffey owned company, the second River Murray Navigation Company.
In 1911 the Rothbury was bought by R.M. Anderson, the major sawmiller in Mildura. The Rothbury supplied the mill with logs from Redgum forests for extensive building construction at Mildura.
The Rothbury layed idle at Mildura moored at the above slipway for 10 years until she was purchased by Captain Alby Pointon in 1968 for restoration for the Tourism Trade.
Wineries
With over 40 wineries in the Mildura region, there is no shortage if wines available for you to try, from little boutique cellar doors to corporate giants. Mildura is part of the Murray Valley region which accounts for more than 20% of Australia's grape harvest. The region is very well suited to growing grapes due do its Mediterranean climate.
National Parks around Mildura
Mungo National Park
Mungo National Park is 110kms from Mildura, across the border in New South Wales, and is part of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage area. The Aboriginals have lived in the region for over 40,000 years, with ancient fireplaces and hearths, artefacts, stone tools and animal bones found in the area. The ancient dunes at Mungo are known as the "Walls of China" as the erosion has sculpted the sand and clay into dramatic formations. Another feature of the area is to visit the shearers woolshed, built in 1869 and was a part of the Gol Gol station.
Hattah-Kulkyne National Park
The Hattah-Kulkyne National Park covers an area of 48,000 hectares, and is one of only 3 Biosphere Reserves in Victoria. It lies in typical mallee country with extensive low scrub and open native pine woodland. Superbly adapted birds, animals and vegetation thrive in the poor, sandy soils and searing summers.
There are a number of walking tracks, you can go canoeing, bike riding, photography etc. Camping is available within the park, and groceries can be purchased from the nearby town of Hattah, which is around 80kms south of Mildura.
Hattah-Kulkyne National Park Website
Murray Sunset National Park
The Murray Sunset National Park is Victoria's second largest national park, is one of the few remaining semi-arid regions in the world where the environment is relatively untouched. Four of the parks lakes turn pink, occurring when a red pigment called carotene is secreted from algae in the water. The colour is at its most vibrant early or late in the day or when the sky is cloudy.
Camping sites are available throughout the park, and there is also a sheaer's hut with hostel type accommodation.
Camping is available in the Mungo National Park at 2 sites, and fees are required to be paid on entrance to the park.
Murray Sunset National Park Website
Wyperfeld National Park
Wyperfield National Park covers an area of 361,000 hectares and is a chain of lake beds connected by Outlet Creek, the northern extension of the Wimmera River. The lakes only fill when the Wimmera River over-supplies Lake Hindmarsh Lake Reserve to the south of Lake Albacutya Park, and this is a rare event.
There are campgrounds available throughout the park.
Wyperfeld National Park Website
Natural landmarks around Mildura
Kings Billabong
Kings Billabong is home to majestic river red gums and a variety of bird life.
Here you can overlook the scenic Kings Billabong from the scenic point, walk through the reserve or head to the historic Psyche Pumping Station which was built in 1891 to be used for irrigation. Kings Billabong is 8kms south east of Mildura on the Murray River floodplain.
Confluence of the Murray and Darling rivers
Climb the viewing platform at Junction Park in Wentworth to see the spot where the Darling and Murray Rivers converge.
Neds Corner Station
Part of the Barkindji Biosphere, the Trust for Nature-managed Neds Corner Station is a 30,000-hectare landholding containing a mosaic of rare landforms and threatened ecosystems along the Murray River 80 kilometres west of Mildura.
Red Cliffs and the scenic reserve
The 21 hectare reserve features high red cliffs facing the Murray River. The reserve is located 4kms from the township of Red Cliffs.
Mildura Visitor Centre
180-190 Deakin Avenue
(on the corner of 12th Street)
Mildura
VIC, 3500
Telephone: +61 3 5018 8380 or Toll Free: 1800 039 043
www.visitmildura.com.au
Mildura Weather - Average Temperatures and Rainfall
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Avg. Max (°C) | 32.2 | 31.5 | 28.3 | 23.5 | 19.0 | 16.0 | 15.3 | 17.2 | 20.4 | 23.8 | 27.4 | 30.1 |
| Avg. Min (°C) | 16.6 | 16.4 | 13.8 | 10.1 | 7.4 | 5.2 | 4.3 | 5.2 | 7.4 | 9.7 | 12.4 | 14.8 |
| Avg. Rain (mm) | 20.7 | 20.0 | 17.9 | 18.3 | 25.5 | 22.7 | 26.3 | 26.8 | 27.0 | 29.8 | 24.4 | 23.5 |
| Avg. Rain Days | 3.6 | 3.1 | 3.4 | 4.2 | 6.7 | 7.7 | 9.3 | 9.1 | 7.4 | 7.0 | 5.6 | 4.4 |