"Mildura" Mildura by Kate-Me

Mildura Travel Guide: 67 reviews and 184 photos

Mediterranean Mildura? - Mildura
Mediterranean Mildura?

The city of Mildura (pop. approx 50,000) is a looong way from the sea, but it really has that style of climate, which seems odd even to me, considering it is situated only 8 hours drive inland north of Melbourne.
Climate is one of the many great things this city has going for it, unless high heat with an average daily temperature of around 30 degrees for 5 months of the year isn't your thing.

But why don't I start by telling you where this place is, and where it began?

The city of Mildura is located at the far North Western corner of Victora, bordering close to South Australia. New South Wales is only a couple of minutes away over the bridge of the mighty Murray River.
This city is where two of Australia's mightiest rivers - the Murray and the Darling, meet.

This region is called the Riverina, and stretches for several hundred kilometres.

It began as Australia's first irrigation settlement in the 1880's, and after troubled early years, really began to flourish.

These days it is one of the largest fruit farming/growing and wine growing regions in the whole of Australia. Certainly there is nowhere else I've travelled in Australia where the vineyards seem to stretch on for over 100 kms along the river, greening up what would otherwise be fairly monotonous countryside, with salt bush appearing to be the main vegetation outside this main irrigation area.

River trade was also very important in the early years, and you can still take rides up and down the river on historic paddlesteamers today.

The city may be relatively small, but it is larger than its population warrants, as it is really the only town with over a few thousand people for over 300 kms in every direction, so as you can imagine, it has to be quite self -sufficient.
A bit like an oasis, though not quite on the edge of proper sandy desert land. That doesn't start for around another 100 kms or so. ..so it's close.

Mildura is also an important tourism centre, with a great Tourist info centre that gives you all the information you could want on the area.
It is also a good starting point for visiting Mungo National Park, Mootwingee, Kingchega National Park and Broken Hill.

Mildura - Mildura

These Jacaranda trees were flowering everywhere in and around Mildura city.
I'd only ever seen them once before, in north Queensland, and I fell in love with them.

Mildura - Mildura

Not only is Mildura famous for its grape growing for wine, but also the dried fruit industry here is huge.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Great climate, prosperous farming and wine region
  • Cons:An isolated city about 300 kms from any other large town
  • In a nutshell:A great place to visit - and live if you like the heat!
  • Last visit to Mildura: Nov 2003
  • Intro Updated Dec 26, 2003
  • Add to Trip Planner (?)
  • Report Abuse

Reviews (46)

Picnic by the river - Mildura Picnic by the river Favorites (9)

There are plenty of nice places along the river in Mildura which are ideal for picnics or BBQs. Even in the heat of... more travel advice

rocks under ultraviolet light in the museum sectio - Mildura Woodsie's Gem Shop Things to Do (11)

Woodsies is one of the largest touristy gem shop/gem display/cutting attractions of its kind in Australia. It's both a... more travel advice

2 storey Hudaks Bakery - Mildura Gourmet bakery food Restaurants (4)

Huge range of choices, from pies and quiches to sandwiches, foccacias and dessert pastries. It's such a huge operation... more travel advice

Increasing multiculturalism in Mildura - Mildura Increasing multiculturalism in Mildura Local Customs (1)

Two years ago on one of my last visits to Mildura, I noticed there was a growing turkish population (by the Turkish... more travel advice

Comments (9)

  • Reply
    thripence's Profile Photo
    Dec 3, 2010 at 10:51 PM

    I was interested in what you had to say about Mildura. I my be visiting there in the New Year.

  • Reply
    craic's Profile Photo
    Mar 17, 2008 at 10:15 AM

    those jacarandas are just beautiful! BTW we are neighbours on the rankings chart this week

  • Reply
    Apr 6, 2006 at 7:29 AM

    You must be kidding me! Stopover? 5 green squares? did u fail to notice the squatters next door?

  • Reply
    pepples46's Profile Photo
    Sep 9, 2005 at 1:56 PM

    wonderful, wonderful birds..I was fortunate to see them in this area.great travelogue Kate.

  • Reply
    Feb 19, 2005 at 12:20 AM

    More Transport Tips: Qantas have several daily flights, there's a V/Line bus/train service from Melbourne, bus to Adelaide, and also flights to Adelaide. Public Transport: a local bus service run by Sunraysia Bus Lines travels several routes about town.

  • Reply
    JetlagCity's Profile Photo
    Sep 2, 2004 at 1:41 PM

    That first pelican in the t'logue looks like he's ready to eat right out of your hand! Good tips re: the bakery with coffee shots & the Mexican restaurants - we have trouble finding Mexican food a lot when we travel!

  • Reply
    belgianchocolate's Profile Photo
    Jun 7, 2004 at 10:23 PM

    They are among the most beautifull species of pelicans...but I could never imagen them eating bread. Strange. (only to see them I would visit this town.)

  • Reply
    aussiedoug's Profile Photo
    Apr 16, 2004 at 12:10 AM

    Always love reading your down to earth, helpful Aussie tips Kathryn. We didn't go through here on our big drive from Corowa to Adelaide, but would like to visit it one day.

  • Reply
    M0B1US's Profile Photo
    Jan 1, 2004 at 7:15 PM

    Just passing through, we stayed here for the night at a caravan park on the banks of the Murray. A nice town!

Kate-Me's Related Pages

Mildura Travel Guide

 
Explore the World
Travel Destinations
Kate-Me's Profile Photo

Kate-Me

“Make photos while the sun shines!”

Online Now

Female

Top 1,000 Travel Writer
Member Rank:
0 0 2 7 7

Badges & Stats in Mildura

  • 46 Reviews
  • 92 Photos
  • 0 Forum posts
  • 9 Comments
  • 11,279PageViews
  • See All Stats
  • See All Badges (32)

Have you been to Mildura?

  Share Your Travels  

Latest Activity in Mildura

Photos in Mildura

See All Photos (92)

Top 10 Pages

See All Travel Pages (208)

Friends

See All Friends (25)

Travel Interests

See All Travel Interests (5)

Latest Mildura hotel reviews

Green Patch Apartments Mildura
5 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 13, 2013
Best Western Australian Settlers Motor Inn
2 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 1, 2013
Sunraysia Resort
26 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 19, 2013
Quality Hotel Grand Mildura
132 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 18, 2013