Front cover: PV Rothbury on the Murray River at Mildura Acknowledgement Mildura Tourism acknowledges that we conduct our business (tourism) on the traditional lands of the Latji Latji, Yerre Yerre and Wergaia peoples of Victoria and also the Paakanjti, Mutthi Mutthi and Nygiampaa peoples of New South Wales. We also acknowledge and pay respects to the traditional owners and elders both past and present. www.visitmildura.com.au Mildura Arts Centre mildura 1 The standout appeal of Mildura is that it is A short walk in the city and your senses are set on the banks of the magnificent Murray drawn to our arts, culture and history. Art galleries, River - Australia’s most important waterway, museums, a number of sculptures and historic it provides visitors with an irresistible choice sites are dotted throughout the city streets. of leisure activities. Mildura’s big open skies, sun soaked days and From drifting aboard a houseboat, to enjoying welcoming locals will cast a long and lasting fresh local produce and wines, a spot of golf or impression, leaving treasured memories of exploring the natural wonders that surround, holidays here. Mildura has something for all. Some interesting Mildura fast facts: Long-recognised as an important Australian food • Regional population, around 60,000 bowl, Mildura’s vast surrounding agricultural • Major industries include agriculture, tourism, districts are bursting with grapes, citrus fruits, horticulture, manufacturing and retail. almonds, olives, countless varieties of vegetables plus much more. The Mildura region grows the following percentages of Australia’s fresh produce: Closer to town, local restaurants and eateries celebrate the magnitude of locally grown produce • Almost 100% of Australia’s dried vine fruit (98%) and offer a truly cosmopolitan ambience. Our • 75% table grapes main eating precinct is aptly known as “Feast • 68% almonds Street” … not just for its food, but also for the • 48% pistachios generous selection of fine local wines - many • 24% citrus of them award winners - that are so popular with locals and visitors alike. 20% of wine grape crush • 24% carrots (Touring Route) • 23% asparagus 2 www.visitmildura.com.au Aerial view Mildura Vineyards mildura 3 Buronga/Mourquong pubs with spectacular Murray River views - the Dareton & Coomealla entertainment for the family. You can step back in Cross the Murray River to New South Wales, Gol Gol Hotel. You can pull up your houseboat at Another short drive from Mildura are Dareton time when visiting historic buildings such as the only 5 minutes away is Mourquong, home of the the hotel and wander up for dinner and drinks. and Coomealla. These tight knit communities boast Old Wentworth Gaol, the Courthouse, the Convent Australian Inland Botanic Gardens - the first semi- one of the region’s best championship golf courses, and the Customs House, and don’t forget to stop arid botanic gardens in the Southern Hemisphere. Nearby James King Park is a great spot for a picnic, Coomealla Golf Club, overlooking the Murray River. at PS Ruby which has been lovingly restored. The The gardens feature a stunning display of plants complete with playground and is a popular setting Crown Hotel and Artback Gallery Cafe are great set on 167 hectares, of which 48 are landscaped. out point for water skiers because of its boat ramp. Located only 25 kms from Mildura, Dareton is also places to dine or have a refreshing ale. Families will home to the Coomealla Club which always ensures Also included are nature trails, rose gardens, also enjoy Pioneer World Museum with its mega Explore nature’s best, book a kayak tour of the a good time with great meals and a wide variety fauna and Murray Cod display and Riverboat a spectacular bush chapel, shearing shed surrounding billabongs and creeks to be inspired of cabaret entertainment. Rod’s Model Paddle Steamer Display. and gift shop. by the wide variety of bird life each adventure Wentworth Merbein Visitors to the nearby Orange World can learn encounters (see the Tours section for details). To the north-west of Mildura, just a 30 minute Back in Victoria, within 10 minutes’ drive from about growing citrus and tour the orchards. Trentham Cliffs drive is the township of Wentworth, home to the Mildura is Merbein. Well worth a visit, this In Buronga, visitors can explore the Buronga spectacular junction of the Murray and Darling charming irrigation village’s main street has wetlands area and should also look out for the Just 15 minutes from Mildura, Trentham Cliffs is home to Trentham Estate, a boutique family-owned Rivers (see page 12 for more information), and several quaint bric-a-brac shops and is home Varapodio Estate cellar door and café, where winery and restaurant beautifully situated on the a charming village brimming with history, to a colourful country market, held on the third you can sample and purchase locally made, banks of the Murray River. Trentham is recognised attractions and a quirky arts scene. Sunday of each month. Visitors can spend a day award winning olive oil varieties along with internationally and throughout Australia as at Merbein Common, popular with swimmers, other boutique food and cosmetic products. producers of premium award winning wines. Wentworth is also home to the breathtaking boaters, anglers and picnickers. Or why not take With its own mooring, you can arrive at Trentham Perry Sandhills, in places up to 12 metres high in the gorgeous views of the Murray River via the Gol Gol Estate in style aboard your houseboat for a leisurely and spanning 400 acres, a great day’s free Blandowski Walk from the Merbein Lookout. Also in New South Wales, only a 10 minute lunch or catch the PV Rothbury on Thursdays for a drive from Mildura is the gorgeous township of BBQ lunch, wine tasting and winery tour (see page Gol Gol, home to the peace and tranquility of a 46 for details). wide stretch of river and one of the region’s best 4 www.visitmildura.com.au Vineyards at Red Cliffs mildura’s neighbours 5 Irymple/Nichols Point Red Cliffs parks including Wyperfeld, Hattah-Kulkyne A short drive along the Mallee Highway and you Follow Fifteenth Street from Mildura just a Just 15 kms south of Mildura is relaxed Red Cliffs and Murray-Sunset National Parks (see page can visit Kow Plains Homestead in Cowangie. few minutes along the Calder Highway to the which has lost none of its old country-town 16 for details). outlying township of Irymple, where some food character. Red Cliffs pays homage to its horticultural Cullulleraine and wine treasures await you. Historic Chateau history through the proudly displayed ‘Big Lizzie’, Visitors can also see the largest Mallee Cullulleraine is part of the Millewa region, Mildura has a rustic cellar door offering award a 45 tonne machine that was once used to clear stump in Australia, which is located beside which is a large agricultural area that contains a winning wines. Chateau Mildura is the birthplace the Mallee scrub; The Red Cliffs Military Museum; the Calder Highway in the heart of town. profusion of seasonal wildflowers and a unique of the region’s wine industry, complete with a the photographic displays in the Historical Society history indicative of farming communities fascinating museum relating to both the district Courthouse and the Red Cliffs Historical Steam Murrayville throughout the Victorian Mallee. Lake and Australia’s wine history. Around the corner Railway, an established family favourite. Red Cliffs Located on the Mallee Highway, 220 kms south- Cullulleraine, bordered by the Murray-Sunset are Kings Billabong Lookout and Psyche Pumps, also has a popular street market on the first Sunday west of Mildura is Murrayville, a quaint rural town National Park, the Murray River, Mildura and the where you can see how the Mildura irrigation of each month. Carringbush Glass Gallery, Nursery where the influx of four-wheel-drivers, naturalists South Australian border, offers great boating, settlement began. There’s shopping and fun to Ridge Estate Winery and Cappa Stone Wines are also and visitors makes this town of 550 busy. To the fishing and recreational activities. be had nearby at Woodsies Gem Shop which also worth a look and are perfect for souvenirs. north of the town is the Murray-Sunset National features a crazy maze and cave for the kids. For Park (see page 16 for more information) and to From Cullulleraine you can drive to Werrimull golfers the scenic course at Riverside Golf Club Ouyen the south, the Big Desert State Park. This part and stop at the pub for lunch or dinner, visit is not be missed. Located 100 kms south of Mildura, Ouyen is a of the Mallee has so much to offer, including the Werrimull Catholic Church then drive on dry-land farming town in the heart of the Mallee, unique wildflowers (spring) and wildlife. to Meringur which features historical reminders surrounded by a beautiful array of national including the Millewa Community Pioneer Forest & Historic Village at Meringur. 6 www.visitmildura.com.au Murray River wildlife mildura’s neighboursmildura 7 For more information please contact: Known as the Gateway to the Pink Lakes and Mallee Highway Touring Route Murray-Sunset National Park, Underbool is Mildura Visitor Information Centre Wentworth Visitor The Mallee Highway Touring Route stretches from Tooleybuc in NSW, heading west through alive in Spring teeming with an abundance Phone 03 5018 8380 or free call 1800 039 043 Information Centre a plethora of small Victorian country towns of wildflowers, wildlife and birdlife. Best seen 180 -190 Deakin Avenue, Mildura Victoria Phone 03 5027 5080 to Tailem Bend in South Australia. Considered in winter, The Pink Lakes provide a perfect (Cnr Twelfth Street and Deakin Avenue) 66 Darling Street, Wentworth NSW the shortest route from Adelaide to Sydney, opportunity for a photo stop to capture their Open 9am - 5:30pm Monday - Friday Open 9am - 5pm Monday - Friday Canberra and the Snowfields, the track offers an natural magic.